The attention of Omoluabi Media Team has been drawn to a fake news circulating, both on the Kwara and National media space, against the person of our principal, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister for Youths and Sports Development.
In a statement Signed by Esinrogunjo Ibrahim Press Officer Omoluabi Media Office Wednesday and made available to Journalists.
The statement reads: “It should be recalled that the former Minister was the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Kwara Central Senatorial District against Saliu Mustapha of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recently concluded general elections.
“The former Minister, in an interview with The Sun Newspaper published on 23rd of April, 2023, was specifically asked if he has congratulated his opponent and decided against going to court, to which he answered: “You asked if I have congratulated him, I will say no, I didn’t. I don’t think I should because I didn’t think he won the election. Honestly, I think that you can’t steal from me and expect me to congratulate you.”
“But the fake news peddlers went ahead and claimed Abdullahi was referring to the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is repugnant to reasoning and akin to fraud that these faceless cowards will try to twist an answer to an unequivocal question in an infantile yet unsuccessful attempt to pitch him against Bola Tinubu. The logical question is ‘did the former Minister ever contested against Bola Tinubu at any point?’ The answer is an unambiguous ‘No’.
“But it is no surprise to us as this has been the situation ever since our principal threw his hat in the ring to contest for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat. Series of blackmails, defamations and mudslinging have been directed against his person from the opposition camp, even after they were “declared winner” by INEC. This clearly shows that they are very much unworthy and incapable of the victory they were given.
“As if all of that was not enough, another fragment of the interview is being circulated on WhatsApp to make it look like the former Minister has special grievances against Bola Tinubu’s victory at the polls. On the contrary, our principal has always maintained that the divisions within the PDP which culminated in the formation of G5 governors and Peter Obi’s LP made it inevitable for Bola Tinubu to win. For the sake of transparency, the link to the complete interview granted to The Sun Newspaper which is already in the public domain will be provided at the end of this rejoinder for public scrutiny.
“We wish to reiterate to the public that Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has no special grievances against the victory of Bola Tinubu and is not the spokesperson of the PDP. He has only commented on issues raised by the journalist as a statesman. His position on the issues raised is not necessarily that of his party, the PDP.
“We urge the general public to ignore these faceless cowards and agents of destruction as even they themselves cannot attach their identity to the divisive, incisive and illogical eyesore that they wrote. That is a clear sign of mischief, outright falsehood, hideous politics and dishonorable and irresponsible journalism which must not be allowed to thrive in our society.
“While the authors and promoters of this clearly mischievous content have continued to hide their identities, we will take this up with the authorities. We hope and pray some of these cowards and their sponsors will be apprehended someday to face the consequences of the action.” The statement concludes.