Tinubu’s sudden interest in Ekweremadu linked to 2027 elections – Mahdi Shehu

Social critic and activist, Mahdi Shehu, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sudden move to secure the release of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu from a UK prison is politically motivated and tied to preparations for the 2027 general elections.

In a post shared on his official X account on Tuesday, Shehu claimed that Tinubu’s recent decision to set up a high-powered committee to engage the United Kingdom government over Ekweremadu’s imprisonment was not driven by compassion but by political strategy.

According to him, the President suddenly woke up from his diplomatic slumber and remembered Ekweremadu, who has been in prison since his conviction in 2023 for organ trafficking.

Shehu noted that Tinubu’s decision came despite Nigeria currently lacking a substantive ambassador to the UK who, he said, could have handled the matter more effectively through regular diplomatic channels.

“The UK justice system is nearly watertight. The opportunity to resolve the Ekweremadu issue was lost long ago.

He further explained that the only realistic option left for Nigeria was to explore a prisoner transfer agreement if such a treaty exists and has been executed between both countries.

In his view, Tinubu’s action is not a humanitarian gesture but a political calculation.

“My take is that Tinubu is using the Jamboree trip to show he cares and is concerned because the election is approaching and Ekweremadu is the only visible Ndi- igbo that is not on ” THE TRAIN” From Bombay to Goa. And with him on board Ndi- igbo will be finally captured.

Other Nigerians convicted or detained at various prisons all over the world will never receive the Ekweremadu attention because even if they are released they will be of no political value to Tinubu. Such is the visible miscalculation.