The Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party of forging the letterhead of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the signature of its national commissioner, Festus Okoye.
The Council in a statement signed by its Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga, alleged that the forged statement purportedly issued by INEC was disseminated to deceive the gullible public that INEC was investigating allegations against Asiwaju Tinubu which the Council said they desperately hoped, will ultimately lead to the disqualification of the APC presidential candidate.
“We are not in any way surprised by the antics of the sinking opposition parties. What we found shocking was how quickly some compromised media organisations gulped the falsehood, hook, line and sinker, without attempting to verify.
“We understand why they did so: the forgery and its narrative fit their mindset of throwing overboard every known virtue of ethical journalism and professionalism, as they work in cahoot with the opposition to defame Asiwaju Tinubu.
“This inglorious path has been taken before since 2003 and in the run-up to the primaries of the ruling APC that produced Asiwaju Tinubu as the presidential torch bearer. Those who took this damned path of infamy lost their bet because Asiwaju Tinubu stands rock solid and indestructible”.
The Council pointed out that Asiwaju Tinubu has consistently said he would make this campaign about issues that affect the lives of Nigerians and how to proffer workable and enduring solutions that will improve the quality of life of the people who are looking for leaders at all levels to improve their lives and sow the seeds of prosperity in our country.
The Council further said Mr Tinubu has demonstrated this resolve by publishing an 80-page manifesto tagged ‘Action Plan for a Better Nigeria’, which he has been selling to strategic sectoral groups in the country.
“We had hoped anyone aspiring to lead our country at this time will be a natural subscriber to this noble and higher goal.
“It is clear the opposition parties and purveyors of fake news have other negative ideas: they want to make this election cycle more about muckraking and mudslinging.
“While we want to stay above the fray and stand by our commitment to inspire our people and restore their faith and confidence in the immense goodness and greatness of our country, we want to serve notice to all the agents of disinformation and their collaborating media platforms, that our campaign organisation stands ready to confront and fight all libellous and defamatory publications against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We shall no longer allow the prevailing recklessness and utter disregard for professional judgment to continue unchallenged.
“We also call on the police to investigate the circulation of the forged INEC statement and serve justice to those responsible”, the Council started.