Tinubu’s Response Pending: Why The Presidency Hasn’t Addressed Simon Ekpa’s Detention

Tinubu’s Response Pending: Why The Presidency Hasn’t Addressed Simon Ekpa’s DetentionHours after the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Biafra Prime Minister, in Finland, President Bola Tinubu has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. There has also been no public comment from the presidency or any of the President’s aides regarding Ekpa’s detention.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As reported by Naija News, Ekpa and four others were arrested by a Finnish district court in Lahti on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria. Finnish authorities claim that Ekpa used social media to spread separatist propaganda linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria. These activities allegedly date back to August 2021. Additionally, Ekpa has been under investigation in Finland for alleged financial crimes, including fundraising through illicit means.

Despite the arrest making headlines in both conventional and social media, the presidency has remained silent on the issue. According to Vanguard, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, indicated that the appropriate individuals to comment on the situation would be the National Security Adviser (NSA) or the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, also stated that he was not yet aware of the President’s stance on the matter and could not speculate on it. He explained that President Tinubu is currently out of the country on an official assignment and has not been properly briefed to take a position on Ekpa’s arrest.

Bwala further clarified, “As a spokesman, my role is to communicate the President’s position, and I cannot preempt that until I receive guidance. Given that this event occurred in Finland, it’s likely that the Nigerian Embassy in Finland will brief the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Affairs Ministry would then update the National Security Adviser or the President directly, at which point the President would issue a statement. Only then can we respond to the media.”

He stressed that it would be premature for anyone to comment on behalf of the President without official direction. “At the moment, the President is abroad, and no official statement has been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It would be irresponsible to take a position without proper authorization. In matters of law, the Attorney-General is typically the one to coordinate government responses, and I believe this is the procedure being followed.”

Bwala concluded that it was too early to provide an official opinion from the President, as the appropriate channels had yet to be followed and relevant briefings had not been completed.

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