Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
described as ‘absolute fake news’ the reports in the Social Media that
the abducted Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu, has died in captivity.
“It’s absolutely fake news. There is nothing like that,” the Minister
said at a press briefing in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday
He said the rumour of Miss Sharibu’s death, which surfaced just a few
days to the presidential election, is another ploy by the political
opposition to tarnish the image of the administration and exploit
primordial sentiments ahead of the polls.
“I think it’s part of the opposition’s strategies to throw everything
at the administration and at the President. I think everyday they are
realising the hopelessness of their position.
“Everyday they are amazed by the support Mr. President is receiving
from every part of the country and they have decided that they are
going to spread falsehood, inflame passion and make this election a
Muslim-Christian affair or North-South affair, but people are not
listening to them,” Alhaji Mohammed said.
Speaking on the Monday’s presidential campaign rally in Ilorin, he
said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has put everything in place
to ensure that the visit of President Buhari is a huge success.
“The party has been meeting in the last couple of days to ensure that
the President’s visit is very successful. We have watched the rallies
in many parts of the country and we want to assure Mr. President that
our rally in terms of numbers, quality of people, entertainment and
colour will rank among the best,” the Minister said.
He said the crowd that will come out to receive the President will be
organic as the party does not engage in renting crowds.
Mohammed appealed to security agencies to create a level
playing field for all the contestants in the election to allow the
people to freely exercise their franchise, saying those involved in
legitimate activities have nothing to fear.
He also described the protest in some circles over the redeployment of
Police Commissioners across the country as the handiwork of the
opposition, which is working to discredit the police and the
Independent National Electoral Commission.
