Prominent lawyer, media commentator and news analyst, Frank Tietie
Prominent lawyer, media commentator and news analyst, Frank Tietie, has strongly denied claims that he petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing the report as false, misleading and deliberately fabricated.
Tietie, who is also the Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), made the clarification in a press statement issued in Abuja, following an online publication by The Southern Examiner which alleged that he called for Wike’s sack.
“My attention has been drawn to a false and misleading report by an online newspaper medium (The Southern Examiner), which claims that I petitioned President Bola Tinubu to sack Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. This claim is entirely untrue, false in its entirety, and is hereby denied with the utmost emphasis,” he stated.
According to him, his comments as a political analyst on Arise News were taken out of context and wrongly attributed to him as a petition against the FCT Minister.
“I have attached the video link below to clearly demonstrate the context of my comments as a news analyst on Arise News, which have been deliberately twisted, misrepresented, and falsely attributed to me for purposes that do not reflect my views or intentions. At no time did I petition the President or call for the removal of the Honourable Minister of the FCT,” Tietie said.
He further described the alleged report as offensive and warned that legal action may follow after due consultations.
“I consider this to be very offensive and will definitely take action after I have fully consulted with my colleague lawyers and some respected figures in the Nigerian media landscape,” he added.
Tietie cautioned individuals and political actors against exploiting his professional analysis for ulterior motives, stressing that he has never used his media role to advance personal or political interests.
“No individual, group, or political jobbers should exploit my professional views on political issues to the extent of fabricating or attributing to me a so-called ‘petition to sack Wike.’ Such conduct is irresponsible and calculated to mislead the public,” he warned.
Reiterating his commitment to professional ethics, the legal practitioner explained that whenever he engages in advocacy, he does so openly and transparently.
“As has always been my consistent and established practice, I do not use my role as a news analyst to pursue or promote any personal, political, or organisational agenda. Where I hold a personal opinion or seek to advance an advocacy position as a public interest lawyer and socio-economic rights advocate, particularly on behalf of my organisation, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), I do so transparently through a formal press statement, a press briefing, or both,” he said.
Tietie also announced a major decision to withdraw from political commentary ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing increasing manipulation of analytical views.
“In view of the increasing tendency to twist analytical commentary for political gain or loss to any party, and in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, I hereby announce that I shall, in my capacity as a news analyst, cease commentary on political issues,” he declared.
He concluded by urging journalists and media organisations to uphold professionalism, fairness and accuracy in reporting, especially during politically sensitive periods.
“I urge media organisations and the public to exercise responsibility, professionalism, and fairness in their reporting and attribution of views, particularly during a politically sensitive period,” Tietie said.
