Our Correspondent
Federal Government wants Nigerians to disregard the rumour that Vice President Kashim Shettima has been denied access the Presidential Villa.
The SSA to The President on Media & Communications, Office of The Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, made the appeal in a statement issued today.
He held mischief makers responsible for it, urging Nigerians to disregard such malicious publications and seek information from credible sources.
“The public should approach sensational claims with the caution they deserve. This we owe ourselves collectively as a nation”.
Nkwocha recalled similar recent efforts to undermine the cordial working relationship between the VP and the President.
“In recent times, there has been deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood against the Vice President’s person and office in many multidimensional forms.
“These mischievous and fabricated reports are in a bid to cause confusion and insinuate a total clash in the Presidency.
“These reports seek to mislead the public into believing there’s discord at the highest levels of government,” it regrets.
It’s all false
Nkwocha said the rumour that VP Shettima was shut out of Presidential Villa is another disinformation by fake news peddlers.
He said, “The latest in this string of disinformation is a report claiming that the Vice President has been refused entry to the Villa.
“This is a feeble attempt to traduce the person and office of His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON.
“For the record, NOTHING OF THE SORT EVER HAPPENED.
Nkwocha dismissed the news about armed military units stopping the Vice President from accessing the Villa as mere wishful thinking.
“It is a clear indication that the purveyors of these tales have exhausted both ink and imagination.
“It is a story so far removed from reality that it can only be entertained by those unfamiliar with the inner workings of the government.
They are ill-conceived
He noted that the Presidency had earlier dismissed similar news regarding responsibility for the circulation of campaign posters bearing the images of the President.
“These stories reflect a desperate attempt to undermine the President and his Deputy’s fidelity to rule of law and 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”.
VP Remains focused
Nkwocha assured that the VP remains focused on duties and in supporting the President in achieving the aspirations of Nigerians.
“He does not have the luxury of time for distractions 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 Spokesperson commended Nigerians for their goodwill towards the administration and for always rising against the spread of fake news.
“Your trust and support are deeply appreciated.
“The covenant between this government and 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, GCFR,” Nkwocha assured.
