Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has come under serious fire from Nigerians after he took down a post he made on his social pages to condemn the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State.
Many Nigerians on various social media platforms lampooned the former vice president over what they termed a cowardly act and expressed concerns that he might not be able to hold his grounds against Islamic extremists if he becomes president of the country.
The New Diplomat had reported that Deborah was beaten mercilessly and burnt alive on Thursday by irate Muslim students who accused her of insulting Prophet Muhammed (SAW) via a WhatsApp platform.
Reacting to the development on Thursday, Atiku in a post on his social media handles, condemned the incident, declaring that all those behind the killing must be brought to book.
“There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered, and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends” he wrote.
However, some religious fanatics with Islamic names stormed the comment sections, particularly on Facebook, threatening to withdraw their support for Atiku’s 2023 presidential ambition.
On Friday morning, after numerous threats from the Northerners, the posts were deleted from Atiku’s social media handles.
This action drew the ire of many Nigerians who have been calling him all sorts of names.
According to Aghedo Bright for Atiku to delete his tweets showed that he is a coward.
“Atiku, a moderate Muslim, deleted his tweets where he condemned the senseless killing of Deborah in Sokoto.
Atiku is a former vice-president and now wants to be president. If he can chicken out this way, imagine what that your friend who is an uneducated moderate Muslim can do” he wrote on Facebook.
Taiwo Babafemi was no different in his summation of Atiku’s actions.
“A supposed leader that cannot stand by his words, a supposed leader who is scared of speaking truth at the expense of his political career Are these the kind of leaders we want?
And we stand up and recite that anthem concluding with …….”Where peace and justice shall reign” he also wrote.
Palegh Hilary said “Atiku has once again exhibited his actions, behavior, and character as a normal and true Muslim by placing his religion above the unity, peace, and progress of Nigeria. A green snake in the green grass. Period”.
Hassan Youngsoja Micah wrote the following “Wow so much for who wants to be a President. Can this person be trusted by the Christians to protect the neutral religious statue of the country? I doubt it” he wrote.
