Udom Emmanuel Presidential Campaign Council has denied barring Atiku Abubakar from meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party delegates in Akwa Ibom.
The Campaign Council, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the news was false in its entirety.
A statement by the campaign council titled “RE: 2023 Presidential Shocker: Udom Blocks Atiku from Consulting Akwa Ibom Delegates”, said, “The news item with the above heading surfaced on the media space, alleging that Governor Udom Emmanuel barred Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from meeting with delegates from Akwa Ibom State.
“It also went on to make a lot of spurious allegations, laced with foul and profane language. Nothing can be farther from the truth than this. The said news is incompatible with the known accommodating disposition of Governor Emmanuel.”
He noted that Mr. Emmanuel had been associating with Mr. Abubakar and others, adding that the governor had already authorised the former vice president’s interaction with the delegates.
“The truth is that the Governor, who has been in communication and contact with all other presidential aspirants – Atiku Abubakar inclusive, was informed that the former Vice President will be visiting on Monday, May 16, 2022, to meet with delegates and thereafter see him (Gov. Emmanuel) by 4 pm, a proposal that was unhesitatingly accepted.
He said that the news was just to damage the reputation of the governor. He asked why Atiku’s visit would be a different case.
It noted that the reasons behind the Atiku’s media posture and the one online would be pulled out as it was not coming from him or his media handlers. The story was also not given authorisation by the presidential aspirant. It then urged all to disregard the fake news and treat it as mischief.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Udom Emmanuel Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Bola Bolawole, confirmed the statement from Ememobong, adding that Governor Emmanuel was noted as an apostle of politics without bitterness.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
