Following the arrest of Senator representing Kwara South Constituency, Rafiu Ibrahim by the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to react over the incident with the hastag #FreeSenRafiu.
It will be recalled that the All Progressives Congress, APC had on February 20 petitioned security agencies over the gruesome attack on the party’s Senatorial Candidate for Kwara South, Hon. Lola Ashiru by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim-a serving senator.
According to the APC, the attack which took place in Ojoku town in Kwara South Senatorial District of the State left no less than eight persons badly injured while two others were allegedly shot dead.
Advertisement
Below are some of the reactions:
Senator @rafiuibrahim of Kwara South was allegedly arrested last night by @NGPoliceForce
We can never be intimidated#FreeSenRafiu@bukolasaraki @I_Am_Ilemona @segalink pic.twitter.com/CzR3SmSpjE— Yusuf Ilemona Usman (@IlemonaUsman) February 22, 2019
We voted for change in 2015 , not continuity of old doctrine where security agents belongs to a party but today, what has changed ?
Sen @rafiuibrahim was arrested yesterday night and detained over crimes not committed , just to take him out of circulation.#FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/DvHBBJmQ1j
— I am Baba Idris (@babaidris090) February 22, 2019
The arrest of Senator @rafiuibrahim by the Police hours before his election on absolutely ridiculously charges sends a strong message about Nigeria’s democracy under this administration. Institutions of state are being manipulated to help the party at the center. #FreeSenRafiu
— Olu Onemola (@OluwoleOnemola) February 22, 2019
Nigerians made a huge mistake in 2015 and guess who’s going to correct that?You and I!! Yes we are tired of tyrants who feel it’s ok to infringe on people’s right and look away!
The arrest of Sen. @rafiuibrahim is a a show our democracy is in danger!! #FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/erD335c9jh
— Saadat Bibire (DEJI ADEYANJU) (@queen_saadat) February 22, 2019
The arrest of @rafiuibrahim is ill-timed & patently insensitive. To arrest him barely 24 hours to an election where he is a candidate is most undemocratic & betrays every sense of fairness. The Police authorities must immediately #FreeSenRafiu & allow for a level playing field. pic.twitter.com/p3LUUhcBNZ
— Seun Awogbenle (@PrimeBaba) February 22, 2019
Dear @PoliceNG what’s going on in Kwara South? Why was @SenRafiu arrested less than 24 hours to his election?
I’ve given the Police Force under the new IG the benefit of the doubt so far but this is straight out of disgraced ex-‘Transmission’ IGP’s playbook! ???#FreeSenRafiu
— Ose El Sudenih (@Papadonkee) February 22, 2019
The one thing they have forgotten is out of sight is not out of mind. The people of Kwara south whole heartedly love Distinguished Sen @rafiuibrahim and no amount of blackmail and propaganda can reverse that. They will vote massively for him. #FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/nsgbt5nN7h
— Saadat Bibire (DEJI ADEYANJU) (@queen_saadat) February 22, 2019
Enough of Intimidation, Enough of Oppression. Free Senator @rafiuibrahim he is our man, he is our voice. #FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/vDSZjotQN5
— Optimist_smart (@AbdulwahabTaju4) February 22, 2019
It’s amazing that @PoliceNG think that arresting a Senator 24hours before his election is wise.
I came home to Kwara to vote, and the number of International observers on the ground shows that the world is watching how we deal with this thing called elections. #FreeSenRafiu— Alaba Jibrin (@Alaba_H2X) February 22, 2019
The youths of Kwara South Constituency, hereby call on the international community, specifically, observers who have come to witness the February 23rd election, to take note of the partisan and irresponsible antics of the Nigerian Police Force. #FreeSenRafiu #NigeriaDecides
— Onilemarun Kareem (@Onile050) February 22, 2019
The Police arrested Senator Rafiu – the PDP senatorial candidate for Kwara South.
A leopard never changes its spots.
PMB’s live broadcasts can’t change the fact that this government has no regard for the rule of law nd uses security agents to bully the opposition #FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/h6PQyh14DI— Ada Campbell ? (@Adacampbell) February 22, 2019
The Police arrested Senator Rafiu – the PDP senatorial candidate for Kwara South.
A leopard never changes its spots.
PMB’s live broadcasts can’t change the fact that this government has no regard for the rule of law nd uses security agents to bully the opposition #FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/h6PQyh14DI— Ada Campbell ? (@Adacampbell) February 22, 2019
Why can’t the APC come to tomorrow’s contest with a test of their manifesto + their popularity?
Why do they have to get the police to arrest a serving Senator on charges that will be revealed to be trumped up at the end of the day? #FreeSenRafiu #NigeriaDecides
— Olu Onemola (@OluwoleOnemola) February 22, 2019
2 people had a clash, you arrested 1 & left the other. You are not solving the clash but rather creating more problem. The @rafiuibrahim is still the man of the south. Your oppression can't make us love him less.#FreeSenRafiu#LetsDoMoreTogether#RafiuLeekansi@babaidris090
— Haleemah Gegele (@Tadahlymarh) February 22, 2019
It is now clear that the reports of violence in Ojoku on Tuesday is a well acted script just to clamp down on the popular candidate which is consider highest level of irresponsibility by the actors, match on blood of innocent person to actualise political ambition. #FreeSenRafiu
— Onilemarun Kareem (@Onile050) February 22, 2019
— POLICE Begin Clampdown on Kwara PDP Leaders
—Arrest Kwara South PDP Senatorial candidate, Dr @RafiuIbrahim
—Plot to Take Him Out of Circulation for #NigeriaDecides#FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/T5fhpWWf2x— Abdul Abdul (@Onibonoje11) February 22, 2019
#FreeSenRafiu#FreeSenRafiu
We are surprised that our security Agencies now belong to APC ..@rafiuibrahim is not meant to be detained over what he knows nothing about but because they want APC to win in Kwara South, they detained Rafiu Ibrahim for NO reason!#FreeSenRafiu pic.twitter.com/di0BWU3hXV— I am Baba Idris (@babaidris090) February 22, 2019
Senator @rafiuibrahim Has done nothing wrong. It is not a crime to be selfless to constituents..
We live in a country where PDP members are sinners while APC members are tagged to be saints , no matter the level of crime committed.
#FreeSenRafiu— I am Baba Idris (@babaidris090) February 22, 2019
Tonight’s action by the Police is a clear indication that Officers of the Nigerian Police Force have decided to take sides against the PDP in Kwara State and across the nation, as the reasoning behind Senator Ibrahim’s (@rafiuibrahim) arrest is currently unknown, #FreeSenRafiu
— VoteAtunwa4Gov (@wagzie01) February 22, 2019
My attention as been drawn to the unwarranted arrest of the candidate of the PDP for Kwara South Senatorial District, Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim.
Arresting a candidate few hours to election to distabilize him/her is rigging in advance, this is condemnable & unacceptable.
— Oluyemi Fasipe?? (@YemieFASH) February 22, 2019