The All Progressives Congress Campaign Council on Wednesday morning discredited a photograph of its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, purportedly ‘holding talks’ with the United States President, Joe Biden, at the White House.
The ruling party’s Presidential Campaign Council had in a similar fashion, disowned a statement apologizing to former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duku, over the use of his photograph in a documentary of the party’s flagbearer.
On Wednesday morning, the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC campaign council, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed in a statement that the trending photo should be seen as the latest attempt in a series of misinformation being orchestrated by opposition politicians.
“A viral photograph showing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and United States President, Joe Biden, in talks at the White House is the latest in the series of misinformation being dished out by the political opposition.
“We cannot just fathom the purpose of the mischief and the falsehood, which emanated from the rabid followers of Peter Obi.
“The apparently photo-shopped image surfaced Tuesday night, on the heels of news that Asiwaju Tinubu will embark on a foreign trip this weekend.
“Although America was listed among his destinations, according to an unofficial report that was widely shared, we can confirm that the APC presidential candidate was in Abuja all through Tuesday. He was in Abuja on Monday as well, and has no need to surreptitiously leave Nigeria, as some candidates do.
“Tinubu will be travelling to Bayelsa for a rally on Thursday, according to the party’s campaign programme. He is not scheduled to travel outside the country until the weekend for speaking engagements.
“His first port of call will be Chatham House in London, where he will speak on his Action Plan for Nigeria.”
Obi media aide has, however, distanced the candidate and his party from the allegation, saying, there was no iota of truth in what the ruling party was saying. Tai Obasi said it would be grossly unfair for the ruling party to accuse the Obidient movement for what used to be the APC’s stock in trade.
He said, “Onanuga is wrong. That is not how people in Obi’s camp operate. It is not our style. The APC supporters are the experts in photoshopping and spreading of false rumours.
We don’t deal in that. One thing about Obi’s supporters is that we don’t hide or cover our faces to release any statement. There is nothing to be ashamed of in what we write or post. We say the truth the way we know it.”
