The camp of Former Vice president and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 elections has accused the presidency of carrying out high – level propaganda and a smear campaign against him.
This comes off the back of exchanges between both parties in the past week following Atiku Abubakar’s criticism of the presidency.
The Atiku media office in a statement signed by Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku Abubakar noted the presidency was involved in circulating disinformation against the former VP.
“Presidency engaged in high-level propaganda, disinformation against Atiku We have observed with concern a certain self-styled “media consultant,” one Kola Johnson, issuing press releases in the name of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Use of Mercenaries
It further accused the presidency of planting media consultant Kola Johnson to carry out its agenda stating, “Any statement issued in that name is fake and should be disregarded.
“Our findings point directly to the Presidency, which in its desperation to smear opposition leaders, has resorted to hiring faceless mercenaries to fabricate fake stories and circulate unauthorized statements on Atiku. Particularly offensive is the false claim attributed to this individual that an Atiku administration would be dominated by a single ethnic group.
“This disinformation is part of a calculated propaganda project designed to ridicule Atiku in the media. Let it be clear: Atiku Abubakar has never engaged one Kola Johnson as a media consultant, aide, or associate.”
“We urge media houses that have published such falsehoods to immediately retract them. We caution Nigerians, especially the media, to remain vigilant against the propaganda schemes of the Tinubu administration, which now include circulating fabricated statements through compromised journalists.
“For the record, authentic information from Atiku Abubakar is only released through the Atiku Media Office, signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, or the Special Assistant on Public Communications. Editors and media gatekeepers are strongly advised to verify with the AMO before publication.”
