By KEMI KASUMU
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been distanced from activities of governors on platform of the party, whose activities and attitudes to the new Naira redesign policy in the country have put them up as anti-Buhari elements.
This distancing was contained in a statement titled, “It is fake news: Tinubu never asked governors to disregard President Buhari”, issued by Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council and dated February 17, 2023.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a fake viral news published by the Peoples Gazette, claiming Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate has asked APC governors to ignore President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast and enforce the Supreme Court ruling on the recirculation of old Naira notes.
“The publication by the platform is fake,” it said.
According to Onanuga, who is immediate past Director General of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), “Tinubu never issued such an order. Mr Dele Alake, the APC-PCC Adviser on Media and Communications never issued such advisory on behalf of Asiwaju Tinubu.
“The message quoted by Peoples Gazette was being randomly shared on WhatsApp. Mr Alake was not the author.”
Tinubu had campaigned in Calabar and Abeokuta in ways reported as criticising President Muhammadu Buhari over higher foreign exchange rate, scarcity of fuel and new Naira notes, which have been identified by both FG and Central of Nigeria (CBN) as result of sabotage by enemies of the nation and its democracy.
But Onanuga had since issued a statement denying those statements as meaning the former Lagos State Governor attacking the President.
In his fresh statement on Friday, the former NAN chief said, “Asiwaju Tinubu has been known, since the currency swap crisis started, to call for calm as the authorities try to find out a solution to the currency crisis. He has offered a six-point suggestion to lessen the anguish our people are facing in trying to get money from the banks.
“He has also held several meetings with President Buhari, his leader over the matter.
“It is thus inconceivable and unthinkable that he would instruct APC governors to disregard President Muhammadu Buhari’s order on the currency matter.”
Onanuga did not concluded his statement until he had also shielded the critics from blame saying, “Governors who have so far declared this line of action said clearly that they were acting on the ruling of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land.
“Asiwaju has had no influence in this decision.”
He said, “Journalists, unless acting on the dictates of political opponents or prosecuting some agenda, should endeavour to confirm authorship of their materials from the Media and Publicity Directorate of the campaign. They can also seek confirmation from the Tinubu Media Office or Mr. Alake.
“The Gazette should recant the story with immediate effect,” Bayo Onanuga said.
