Nigerian govt dismisses El-Rufai’s claim of gang-up against Tinubu

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on dismissed the claim of gang-up against the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The minister was reacting to a statement credited to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on the former Lagos State governor’s presidential aspiration.

El-Rufai, who featured on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily earlier on Wednesday alleged that some “elements” in Aso Rock are working against Tinubu’s success in the February 25 election.

He added that the individuals in question are still bitter about the outcome of June 8, 2022, presidential primary that produced Tinubu as the APC candidate in the election.

Read also:‘Blind opposition downplaying Buhari’s giant strides’, Lai Mohammed slams ‘enemies’ of govt

Mohammed, who addressed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, however, insisted that the Federal Government was not aware of anybody in the State House working against Tinubu’s success in the election.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari was not favouring any presidential candidate ahead of the election.

He argued that the federal government has been fair to all candidates irrespective of their parties.

The minister said: “If there’s anybody who is working against any candidate, we don’t know officially.

“On a more serious note, one thing I can assure you is that, no matter who, this administration is focused and determined to ensure a free and fair election. And I think this administration, and for that matter now, the most important person in this regard is Mr. President.

“I think he has shown by words and deed that he is committed to free, fair and credible elections. And fair, free and credible elections mean not favouring or disfavouring anybody.

“Everywhere he goes, he makes that very clear, even as recently as Friday, when he was in Daura. He said the same thing. So if there’s anybody who’s working against any candidate, we don’t know officially.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now