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By Myke Agunwa
Vice President Kashim Shettima has dismissed the rumour peddled in some section of the media that he has been barricaded by the military from accessing the Presidential villa.
The Vice President in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha said that the misinformation was not only mischievous but one of the ploys by enemies of the state to “cause confusion and insinuate a total clash in the Presidency”.
The statement recalled some publications by blogs, alleging that armed military units have barricaded the Vice President from accessing the Presidential Villa.
It said that it is not only the wildest expression of wishful thinking but a clear indication that the purveyors of these tales have exhausted both ink and imagination.
“It is a story so far removed from reality that it can only be entertained by those unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Nigerian government.
“In recent times, there has been deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood against the Vice President’s person and office in many multidimensional forms. These mischievous and fabricated reports are all in a bid to cause confusion and insinuate a total clash in the Presidency. These reports seek to mislead the public into believing there’s discord at the highest levels of government.
“The latest in this string of disinformation is a report claiming that the Vice President has been refused entry to the Villa. This is a feeble attempt to traduce the person and office of His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON. For the record, NOTHING OF THE SORT EVER HAPPENED” he added.
Recall that earlier this week, the Presidency also disowned the circulation of campaign posters bearing the images of President Bola Tinubu. It explained that these moves reflect a desperate attempt to undermine the President and his Deputy’s fidelity to the rule of law and the constitution.
“It is understandable, though regrettable, that the mischief-makers continue to underestimate the strength of the bond and goodwill between the President and the Vice President.
However, their questionable sources or habitual reliance on misinformation have once again led them astray. These fairy tales they publish serve no purpose beyond mischief and distraction,” it added.
The statement pointed out that the number two citizen remains focused on his duties and on supporting the President in achieving the aspirations of Nigerians. He said that he does not have the luxury of time for distractions, particularly those born of the imagination of individuals’ intent on creating smoke where there is no fire.
The Vice President commended Nigerians across all divides that have continue to express goodwill towards the administration and who have taken it upon themselves to fight the spread of fake news.
While appreciating their support, he reiterated that the covenant between this government and the citizens of Nigeria was made possible through a legitimate and constitutional process. He maintained that no amount of falsehood or manufactured tension can shake the foundation of that democratic mandate.