Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, has reacted to a Twitter thread by filmmaker, Kemi Adetiba, in which she accused customs officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos of harassment and attempted extortion.
According to the movie director, she was disrespected by the officials on arrival from France when their attempt to bully and extort her did not work.
Adetiba, who lamented about the state of affairs in Nigeria and how corruption has eaten so deep, called on the government to as a matter of urgency check the excesses of officials at the airport.
The government really needs to do something about customs officers as you leave the airport. Not all custom officers are bad (I have met some very pleasant ones) but there are very bad eggs that use the power to shake weak people down for money.
— Kemi Adetiba (@kemiadetiba) November 14, 2018
I was only lucky because I was firm, I refused to be intimidated, I knew my rights and I was ready to act on them. They’re are thousands of people that walk through those doors that don’t and unfortunately fall for this intimidation scam.
— Kemi Adetiba (@kemiadetiba) November 14, 2018
Responding to Adetiba’s tweets, Obi first congratulated the filmmaker on her newly released movie, King of Boys.
He then apologised to her for her experience, while also suggesting what can be done to make things better.
Hello Kemi. Congratulations on your blockbuster film, #KingOfBoys.
I’m sorry you went through that experience. I agree that things can be better.
How? Press RESET on service reforms by retraining public servants to serve, rather than harass Nigerians and visitors. https://t.co/Op5Ev1rm0l
— Peter Obi (@PeterGregoryObi) November 14, 2018
In her response, the self-acclaimed ‘Bruce Lee of visuals’ appreciated the PDP chieftain for his concerns but said she would look out for more plans and strategies from him.