The development is coming barely 24 hours after the PCC similarly denied issuing a statement to apologise to former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, over the use of his photograph in the controversial documentary of the APC candidate
A statement issued on Wednesday morning by the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC campaign council, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the viral picture was the latest attempt in a series of misinformation being dished out by the political opposition.
A livid Onanuga fingered the ‘Obidient’ movement of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the brain behind the photo.
The statement read, “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, like 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.”
Reacting to the allegation, Obi’s media aide, Tai Obasi, disclosed that there was no iota of truth in Onanuga’s accusation.
Obasi further told our correspondent in a phone chat that it would be 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.
“After all, we are not the ones poaching Donald Duke’s picture to post as the early days of Tinubu. We don’t do such business. For now, we are focused on promoting our principal. Whatever Tinubu’s camp is doing, they should leave the Obidients out of it.”
