The Presidency, on Tuesday, debunked the story that President Muhammadu Buhari was being pressurized by some foreign powers that he should not contest the 2019 election.
In a statement issued by the president’s media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, the Presidency said there was not iota of truth in the report.
“We thought fake news was the sole preserve of the social media in this season. Alas, a traditional medium has caught the bug. Obviously, the author of the story just got a brain wave, or got procurred by anti-democratic elements, and then penned the mischief,” the statement reads in part.
The Presidency said incidentally, the countries said to be mounting pressure on Buhari were those that held him in high esteem and would not want to tamper with the organs of other nations.
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The Presidency stated that “President Buhari is not a flippant or frivolous individual. He gave deep thought to the prospect, before announcing his bid for a second term in office.”
The Presidency added: “It is only those who fear that their goose would be cooked, if they meet with him at the polls, that are trying to dissuade him from running by all means, including sponsored newspaper stories.
“By saying it got feelers that President Buhari may opt out of the 2019 presidential election, Daily Independent embarrassed itself, and all those who love good journalism. The newspaper can surely do better.”
