According to Naija News, Shehu made the claim in a post shared on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter), alleging that the President’s move to establish a high-powered committee to engage the UK government over Ekweremadu’s imprisonment was not an act of compassion but a calculated 2027 election strategy.
Shehu criticized the timing of the initiative, noting that Nigeria currently lacks a substantive ambassador to the UK, a situation he said makes the government’s sudden interest suspicious. He argued that if the administration were genuinely concerned, the matter could have been handled more effectively through regular diplomatic channels.
The outspoken activist further pointed out that many Nigerians are imprisoned abroad but will never receive similar attention because they hold no political value to the current administration.
He wrote:
“The UK justice system is nearly watertight. The opportunity to resolve the Ekweremadu issue was lost long ago.
My take is that Tinubu is using the jamboree trip to show he cares because the election is approaching, and Ekweremadu is the only visible Ndi-Igbo that is not on ‘the train’ from Bombay to Goa. With him on board, Ndi-Igbo will be finally captured.
Other Nigerians convicted or detained at various prisons across the world will never receive Ekweremadu’s attention because even if they are released, they will be of no political value to Tinubu.”
Ekweremadu was sentenced by a UK court in 2023 alongside his wife and a doctor for their involvement in an organ-harvesting plot, a conviction that sparked widespread debate and appeals for clemency from several quarters in Nigeria.
Shehu’s comments have reignited controversy over the politicization of diplomatic efforts, especially as the nation inches closer to another electoral season.