The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC) has read the riot act to purveyors of fake news, aiming to undermine the chances of the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in next year’s general elections.

APC PCC Director, Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, notified all agents of disinformation and their collaborating media platforms that the campaign organisation stands ready to confront and fight all libellous and defamatory publications against Tinubu.

This came as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disclosed, yesterday, that it might seek a court order to compel Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce a $460,000 forfeiture judgment given by a United States court. 

At a press conference in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, drew attention to the provision of Section 137 (1) (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), arguing that Tinubu is not eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election.

The APC PCC statement reads: “The opposition PDP and its subsidiary, Labour Party (LP), having realised they have no sure path to victory in the February 2023 presidential election upped their campaign of calumny, disinformation and misinformation on Saturday by sponsoring fake news against the APC presidential candidate.

“They did it by forging the letterhead of INEC and the signature of its National Commissioner, Festus Okoye. The forged statement purportedly issued by INEC was disseminated to deceive the gullible public that INEC was investigating allegations against Asiwaju Tinubu, which, they desperately hoped, will ultimately lead to the disqualification of the frontline APC presidential candidate.

“We are not in any way surprised by the antics of the sinking opposition parties. What we found shocking was how quickly some compromised media organisations gulped the falsehood, hook, line and sinker, without attempting to verify.

“We understand why they did so: the forgery and its narrative fit their mindset of throwing overboard every known virtue of ethical journalism and professionalism, as they work in cahoots with the opposition to defame Asiwaju Tinubu.

“This inglorious path has been taken before since 2003 and in the run-up to the primaries of the ruling APC that produced Asiwaju Tinubu as the presidential torch bearer. Those who took this damned path of infamy lost their bet because Asiwaju Tinubu stands rock solid and indestructible.

“Our candidate has consistently said he will make this campaign about issues that affect the lives of Nigerians and how to proffer workable and enduring solutions that will improve the quality of life of our people who are looking for leaders at all levels to improve their lives and sow the seeds of prosperity in our country.

“He has demonstrated this resolve by publishing an 80-page manifesto, tagged: ‘Action Plan for a Better Nigeria’, which he has been selling to strategic sectoral groups in the country.

“We had hoped anyone aspiring to lead our country at this time will be a natural subscriber to this noble and higher goal.

“It is clear the opposition parties and purveyors of fake news have other negative ideas: they want to make this election cycle more about muckraking and mudslinging.

“While we want to stay above the fray and stand by our commitment to inspire our people and restore their faith and confidence in the immense goodness and greatness of our country, we want to serve notice to all the agents of disinformation and their collaborating media platforms, that our campaign organisation stands ready to confront and fight all libellous and defamatory publications against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We shall no longer allow the prevailing recklessness and utter disregard for professional judgment to continue unchallenged.

“We also call on the police to investigate the circulation of the forged INEC statement and serve justice to those responsible.”

BUT PDP urged INEC to be focused and carry out its duties in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral Act, to engender confidence in citizens, with respect to the integrity of those seeking public office.

Citing the Constitution, Ologunagba said: “Section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that: (1) a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of president if: (d) he is under a sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal.”
 
He said: “Forfeiture means ‘something to which the right is lost as for commission of a crime or misdeed, neglect of duty, or violation of a contract.’ 
 
“It is instructive to note that trafficking in narcotics is an international crime to which all nations are obliged and mandated to apprehend, prosecute and enforce any judgment or court order imposed on an offender.

“Nigeria, being signatory to the international convention on trafficking in narcotics, is obliged to enforce any order or judgment imposed on any offender by a competent court anywhere in the world.”

He added: “Having been sentenced and fined by way of criminal forfeiture of $460,000 drug money in a criminal suit, filed pursuant to the United States Criminal Code, Asiwaju Tinubu cannot by virtue of Section 137 (1)(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) seek office as President of Nigeria.”