The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has debunked the claim by the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai that “some elements” in Presidential Villa are working to stop Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from becoming the country’s president.
According to the minister, the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari remains determined and committed to achieving free and fair election which he has demonstrated in action and deeds.
Mallam El-Rufai who did not mention name(s) made the shocking claim during a live appearance on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” on Wednesday.
But the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while addressing State House Correspondents at a briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier in the day, debunked the claim.
Mohammed stated the President’s position that his administration would only focus on ensuring a free fair and credible elections and not favour or cause anyone to be at a disadvantage.
He further contended that if there was anyone working against any candidate, it was not officially known or verifiable.
“If there is anybody who is working against any candidate, we don’t know officially”, said Lai Mohammed.
In the question-and-answer session, the information minister equally reacted to ratings by Transparency International released on Tuesday.
He underscored the fact that the government had very impressive records based on achievements by the EFCC and the ICPC, etc. and was therefore not bothered about the ratings.
He noted that the administration’s fight against corruption was not to impress Transparency International but to engender growth in the country, politically and economically.
Citing instances where returned assets and funds had been channeled to developing infrastructure and welfare projects, Lai Mohammed asserted that the government’s anti-corruption drive had been successful fought.
Recall that some other APC supporters had alleged that the protracted fuel scarcity in the country as well as the currency redesigning policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria are all targeted to undermine Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
