‘It’s utter rubbish’-Atiku dismisses viral audio alleging plans to rig

Akinwande Soji-Ojo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alh Atiku Abubakar, on Friday, described as “utter rubbish” an audio clip circulating on social media wherein it was alleged that he alongside his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, revealed plans to scuttle the forthcoming election.

In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the clip confirmed that the ruling party would take their propaganda to new heights a few hours to balloting.

“We warned last week that as the election approaches there will be a spike in the rate of propaganda on social media. With barely 24 hours to the poll, we have witnessed propaganda on social media. With barely 24 hours to the poll, we have witnessed propaganda from not just the All Progressives Congress but the Labour Party as well.

“In this latest drive, a montage of speeches delivered by Atiku, Tambuwal, and Okowa since last year were manipulated and pieced together to give an impression that they were discussing plans to rig Saturday’s election. In this age of artificial intelligence technology, even dead people can be portrayed as delivering speeches. This is nothing new!

“For the record, Atiku has run in two presidential elections and has never been indicted or prosecuted for election violence or vote buying.

“But some people think they can sell a narrative of Atiku manipulating this election. This is indeed the height of desperation, the last kick of a dying horse. The APC and the Labour Party must note that elections are not won on social media but at the polling units,” he said.

Justifying why Nigerians should disregard the audio conversation Shaibu said: “It is unfortunate that those seeking power will engage in outdated defeatist tactics. How can Tambuwal be referring to Atiku by his full name in a one-on-one private conversation? This is nonsensical, similar to the type of meaningless chatter about President Muhammadu Buhari being dead and replaced by one Jubril from Sudan.”

He called on PDP supporters nationwide not to get involved in similar propaganda but back the party in its bid to rescue the nation and her citizens, starting from Saturday’s presidential election.

“When they descend to the level of baseless propaganda, we will rise above it with dignity and respond with our Permanent Voter Cards. This election is a watershed in Nigerian history. Nigerians must not lose sight of what is most important, which is the need to rebuild this broken system, revitalise the economy, and improve security and the hope of the people in a united Nigeria,” Shaibu added.

He called on the police and other security agencies as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission to rise above board by playing their part to ensure free, fair and credible polls.

He further charged security agencies to go after those behind the audio clip and bring them to book in compliance with Section 123(c) of the Electoral Act 2022.