Ex-aide to Reps deputy speaker deletes Facebook posts accusing media team of running fake accounts

Ugochukwu Nwankwo, a former personal assistant to Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, has deleted Facebook posts in which he accused Kalu's media team of running fake accounts to manipulate public opinion.

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Am I not at liberty to post and delete whatever on my (Facebook) wall? I'm from Bende. Those people are my brothers and kith and kin. If I post something today and decide to delete it tomorrow, is there any law saying I shouldn't do that?

Nwankwo confirmed the deletion in a telephone interview on Monday, a day after PREMIUM TIMES reported his resignation and the allegations. He stated that he was under no obligation to explain his actions, asserting his right to manage his social media content. "Am I not at liberty to post and delete whatever on my (Facebook) wall? I'm from Bende. Those people are my brothers and kith and kin. If I post something today and decide to delete it tomorrow, is there any law saying I shouldn't do that?" he asked.

When reminded of the deleted posts' specific claims, that Kalu's aides created fake accounts to maintain support and control social media narratives, and that the deputy speaker's camp pursued "the path of self-deceit and make-believe", Nwankwo refused to withdraw the allegations. He urged reporters to examine the Facebook accounts themselves, stating, "Check their activities and then use your tongue and count your teeth. I've spoken with my brothers, and I have deleted my post. I don't owe anybody any explanation for what I do with my post."

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Go and check all those Facebook accounts. Check their activities and then use your tongue and count your teeth. I've spoken with my brothers, and I have deleted my post. I don't owe anybody any explanation for what I do with my post.

Nwankwo also declined to directly answer whether deleting the posts implied the allegations were false. He maintained that his decision was personal and that others were free to interpret it as they wished. He emphasized his continued positive relationship with the deputy speaker, calling him "my friend, my former boss, and my brother."

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You can make whatever you want out of the post. I alone know why I deleted it, but you're free to make any meaning out of it. The deputy speaker is my friend, my former boss, and my brother. So, if I decide to make a post and delete it, it is within my right.