2023: Fashola Distances Self From Support Groups
Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, has distanced himself from a group linking him to the 2023 presidential election.
The group, The Nigeria Project 2023, had went to town claiming that it endorsed the minister and the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, as the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2023 elections.
The group had also sent out invites, claiming to launch out on 2 October, 2022 and formally present Fashola and Zulum as its candidates for the 2023 presidential election.
However, Fashola, in a statement from his media office, today distanced himself for the group and urged Nigerians to disregard the invitation purportedly to inaugurate him and Zulum for the elections.
The Minister of Works, in the release signed by his Special Adviser (Communications), Hakeem Hello, said he was aware of the false narrative down rounds on the social media about his alleged presidential ambition, as sponsored by the group.
“The social media was awash at the weekend with a poster from the group allegedly presenting the Honourable Minister and the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum as presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively, of an unnamed political party.
“Ordinarily, the poster and the various social media reports almost instantly orchestrated on its account would have been ignored as the handwork of mischief makers. However, it became necessary to issue this disclaimer for two key reasons.
“The first of such was to answer with a strong negative to the numerous inquiries from right-thinking and well-meaning Nigerians on whether the Honourable Minister had been contacted or if the groups had his consent in issuing the invitation.
“Without equivocation, no individual or group has contacted the Honourable Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023.
“As Honourable Minister, Mr Fashola is currently focused on leading his dedicated team in the Ministry of Works and Housing to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for an expanded and upgraded road transport infrastructure; and affordable housing nationwide in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the citizenry.
“Secondly, is the fact that entities unknown to a political party cannot present candidates on behalf of such a political party.
“As a ranking and loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the individual and groups cited as promoters of The Nigeria Project 2023 are unknown to the APC and the Honourable Minister.
“Against the backdrop of the foregoing, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, urges members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and support groups whose real intentions remain questionable.
“Every support possible should be given to the efforts of the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver a better nation for all,” the release stated.
