Airport Search: More Reactions Trail ‘Intimidation’ Of Atiku

Nigerians have reacted to the alleged intimidation of the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar by security agents at the airport.

Recall that Atiku, who was a former Vice President, on Sunday returned to Nigeria from Dubai where he had held meetings with his running mate, Peter Obi, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Ben Bruce, among others.

Upon his return, Atiku and his staff were searched by security agents. “I arrived to Abuja this morning to a search by agents of the state, aimed at intimidating me and my staff.

“I am committed to building a Nigeria where no citizen is intimidated by agents of state who are paid to protect them.

“Together, #LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain,” he had said via his Twitter handle.

In reaction to the alleged harassment, Ben Murray-Bruce wrote on Twitter: “I totally condemn this reckless harassment of Atiku the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as he landed in Abuja.

“Nigeria is not a fascist state. We will not return to a jackboot dictatorship. This government should face Atiku at the polls, not with force.”

Similarly, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of Aviation said, “The attempt to intimidate @atiku with security agents at the airport after his arrival in Abuja this morning is utterly shameful and I totally condemn it.

“It is the desperate act of a vicious, cowardly, weak, paranoid, dying and failed government who know that their time is over.”

Joining in the trail of reactions, some Nigerians took to the social media to express their views.

See a few reactions below:

I joined all Democrat in the world to denounce the humiliation and intimidation meted at Atiku Abubakar on his arrival to Nigeria.
Let us all rise up and say no to dictatorship, tyranny, Nazism, totalitarianism and coup to democracy. Tomorrow may be your turn.

— Donlevite (@donlevite) November 12, 2018

Tell me in a layman’s language what you think he could’ve done to deserve the treatment if not intimidation

FYI, go through my tweets to confirm I’m so into @MBuhari like madness…but I must be patriotic to call out unwarranted BS..just like the former DSS boss

— Justice Uche (@Mrjustman) November 12, 2018

Abroad: Atiku gets searched as he lands, his reaction is "they are doing their work"

In Nigeria: Atiku gets searched at the airport and he says it's intimidation.

Ordinary airport search ooo… the people crying foul on this lane also get searched at the airports too.
Smh

— Odogwu Mobi ? (@mobiuwakwe) November 12, 2018

Was Atiku and his 400 goons not searched at the Dubai International Airport. Was he intimidate there? If he wasn't, then the search here in Nigeria cannot be intimidation. Just trying to make political mountain our of an every day mole hill.

— Tonero (@Tonero00786734) November 12, 2018

The Big question is " Has V. P Atiku been search like this before?
If Yes.. Hon Minister you are doing your job.
If No.. Hon. Minister stop the intimidation….

— Erastus (@Erastus12345) November 12, 2018

It is so pathetic how the @APCNigeria and @MBuhari has made bigotry and intimidation a policy thrust of their government, and @elrufai Is religiously implementing same, creating more division in an already divided Nigeria.
97%<>5%@atiku @PeterGregoryObi

— Okiakpe Timothy (@OkiakpeT) November 12, 2018

Boss, let's be honest. I, for one has landed with commercial flight several times, and there was no immigration officer who stamped us in. This happened twice.
Atiku didn't start using private jet 2 days ago. He knows the routine and he knows intimidation.

— Festus Emeka (@Betahubby) November 12, 2018

when a man speak of search and intimidation.I believe it is not the first time he is been searched normally. So there is something that meet the eye. Unless you are just taking his letters literally.

— Oji Obasi Oji (@orji_obasi) November 12, 2018

If he could come up with this as intimidation or attack as his party put it then he will be president for the elites if he won the election. As the level of impunity would be compare to none! You obey routine check in abroad but want to disobey in your country why?

— Phil (@Adot12k) November 12, 2018

This is ridiculous
I can't imagine a moment were humble Nigerians are treated fairly

The intimidation tactics has been predicted since 2014 to @OfficialPDPNig

Very callous to search an Aspirants @atiku plane..

THIS SHOWS HOW MUCH THE APC IS INTIMIDATED BY ATIKU'S STRENGTHS https://t.co/Ypw6F9k13E

— Her Excellency (@Datoofthecreeks) November 12, 2018

Dear Atiku, we need a Nigerian President!
If you find the search of you and your belongings a form of intimidation, you're unfit to lead Nigeria.
Nigerians are called out at Airports to be specially searched, that's how bad our image is now, if you can't deal, you can't lead!

— AY Nigeria ?? #EkitiPride (@oapaynigeria) November 12, 2018

Atiku missed a golden chance to market himself & score a political goal.

If I were Atiku, I would have done a video of myself being searched at the airport with a write up; ‘ As a law abiding citizen, I respected… https://t.co/mXnflDwlya

— Osquare (@osquare78) November 12, 2018

So some Buharist are still in support of what the DSS did to the next president of Nigeria @atiku at the airport? Let it be known history always repeat itself.

— Isamaila?? (@Isamaila247) November 12, 2018

This is the man called constituted Authority, yet he was searched by Airport security. Atiku should please stop blabbering.
Only the president is exempted from searching. pic.twitter.com/liuN7pt4Cy

— pathfinder (@Onaolapofarouq) November 12, 2018

Who is everybody 'gets searched'? Was it not same airport Adeosun passed try despite forgery of nysc cert? Tinubu, Oshio, Amechi, Akpabio, etc, all have passed try same, no such happened? Stop supporting cluelessness & autocracy?????

— Ebhodaghe Emmanuel (@EmmaDaghe) November 12, 2018

Apparently so sir, D former vice president of America @JoeBiden sure wouldn't have gone thr said search wen coming into America thr D JFK Airport??Biden is even going far.Say @DenisMcDonough
Dis wouldn't be done. #Istandwithatikuabubakar . Like,RT&follow me if U like Atiku

— angy (@enajite) November 12, 2018