The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has been criticised for condemning the killing of a female lawyer in Lagos, Bolanle Raheem.
Raheem was shot dead by a police officer on Christmas day while inside a car with her husband in the Ajah area of the state.
Reacting, Atiku urged authorities to expedite action on the matter, as justice delayed is justice denied.
He wrote, “The shooting of Bolanle Raheem by a police officer is heartbreaking and stands condemned. This latest shooting calls to attention the urgent need for Police reforms that will sanitise the Force and bring it in line with best policing practices.
“I call on the police authorities and the Justice system to expedite action on the matter, as justice delayed is justice denied. This will serve as a deterrent to the incidents of irresponsible shooting of innocent citizens by law enforcement agents.
“I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and the Nigeria Bar Association, in particular its Lagos chapter. May her soul rest in peace. -AA”
Reacting, some tweeps recalled how Atiku deleted a condolence tweet shared on his verified handle about the killing of one Deborah Samuel for blasphemy by northern youths.
According to the former vice president, he deleted the tweet because he didn’t authorise it, which was why it wasn’t signed by him.
However, some tweeps at the time faulted his claim. Accoridng to them, Atiku deleted the tweet because some northern Muslims threatened his presidential ambition for siding against the action against blasphemy.
On his latest tweet condemning Raheem’s killing, one @Et_Suka wrote, “Well said But you never still condemn the brutal murder of Deborah; that’s not the kind of leader we want… we want a leader dat’ll stand up for every Nigerians & be bold enough to condemn everything bad.”
@Dasrackhor wrote, “Hope you won’t delete this tweet too.”
@Godwinoyibode1 wrote, “How do we know? Did atiku authorize the tweet? Will it be deleted as Deborah Samuel’s tweet?”
