The Presidency has clarified that Vice President Kashim Shettima was not refused entry to Aso Villa as being maliciously alleged.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, made this clarification in a statement on Saturday.
He noted that the recent publication by some obscure blogs alleging that armed military units have barricaded the Vice President from accessing the Presidential Villa was not only the wildest expression of wishful thinking but a clear indication that the purveyors of these tales have exhausted both ink and imagination.
Nkwocha clarified that nothing of sort ever happened, pointing to a similar fake news
earlier this week, regarding responsibility for the circulation of campaign posters bearing the images of President Bola Tinubu, which was equally dismissed by the Presidency.
He maintained that these stories reflect a desperate attempt to undermine the President and his Deputy’s fidelity to the rule of law and the constitution.
“Let it be known that those pushing these falsehoods do so in vain. It is understandable, though regrettable, that the mischief-makers continue to underestimate the strength of the bond and goodwill between the President and the Vice President. However, their questionable sources or habitual reliance on misinformation have once again led them astray.
“These fairy tales they publish serve no purpose beyond mischief and distraction. The Vice President remains focused on his duties and on supporting the President in achieving the aspirations of Nigerians.
“He does not have the luxury of time for distractions, particularly those born of the imagination of individuals intent on creating smoke where there is no fire. He’s not and will never partake in their media circus. It is a futile pursuit, even by the standards of the morally indifferent,” the SA said.
He commended Nigerians across all divides who continue to express goodwill towards this administration and who have taken it upon themselves to fight the spread of fake news.
“Your trust and support are deeply appreciated. The covenant between this government and the citizens of Nigeria was made possible through a legitimate and constitutional process. No amount of falsehood or manufactured tension can shake the foundation of that democratic mandate. Not under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.
The statement encouraged the public to disregard such malicious publications and the media to continue seeking information from credible sources and to approach sensational claims with the caution they deserve.
