 |
| Height of deceit: Buhari's picture taken in the streets of London in 2013 is being circulated as taken in 2015 to show he is out and about in London |
The airbrushing of General Muhammadu Buhari's political profile appears to have spun out of control with the latest London trip gambit. The sudden trip of Buhari, Presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to London is stirring new controversy over the health status of the septuagenarian aspiring to lead Nigeria. This is coming on the heals of fresh allegations by the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose that Buhari was suffering from debilitating illness and has solely traveled to the United Kingdom to receive medical treatment, claiming vindication over his earlier assertion on Buhari's wellbeing.
General Buhari's party and associates are as usual desperately trying to cover up Buhari's real reason for making the sudden trip forcing them to produce some photo-shopped photo's to bolster the propaganda that Buhari was on a working visit to the United Kingdom.
One of such was the release of a photo, which has gone viral on social media to give the impression of Buhari's "working visit" to the UK as stated by his party.
In the photo, a much younger Buhari than his current frail nature is seen giving a speech on the subjects of democracy, corruption and the economy at the 4th African Diaspora Conference hosted at the Houses of Parliament in London.
It has however that the picture was taken two years ago when Buhari attended African Diaspora Conference held at Chatham House London. In a photo report of the Demotix (dated March, 5, 2013), titled Retired Nigerian General Buhari attends African Diaspora Conference, many pictures of Biuhari currently being circulated by his party to demonstrate he was holding meetings with prominent individuals in the UK were shown.
Perhaps the most brazen of the deceit was the release of a picture Buhari's associates holding a meeting with former British prime minister Tony Blair. According to a tweet (a group photograph of participants at the meeting) from a former Governor of Kwara, Bukola Saraki, Buhari met Blair in company with Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and Saraki. However, the picture has also been suggested to have been faked as shown below.
 |
| The photoshopping of Buhari meeting with Blair |
Tony Blair is in Gaza and unless Buhari is Gaza with Blair, there is no way the picture would have been taken. A check on Tony Blair's link or facebook page would amply reveal that Muhammadu Buhari was no where around him this week, not to talk of taking pictures with him. Tony Blair does not mention anything about Buhari's visit to him, rather he talks about his visit to the Gaza Strip and some other places. He is still in Gaza.
Tony Blair wrote on his face book page: After meeting the young people at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, I am even more confident for Rwanda’s future. Through the work of Agahozo-Shalom these vulnerable and orphaned children can gain the skills and confidence needed to fulfil their potential. They have a bright role to play in Rwanda’s progress and prove the transformative power of education.
Announcing his visit to the UK, a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity Directorate of All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization, APCPCO, Mallam Garba Shehu said that “in the course of this visit, General Buhari is expected to hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment and interact with some global institutions with stakeholder interest in the affairs of Nigeria.”
It further stated that ” Buhari would hopefully give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatam House in London.”
However, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State struck.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and News Media, Lere Olayinka, Mr. Fayose flayed the APC's statement, saying that it was a deceit taken to far, insisting Buhari was in London to treat his deteriorating health condition. Fayose said Mr. Buhari is being treated at a hospital located at Cavendish Street, Cavendish Square, W2 London West End, London.
He said, “The event is listed on Royal Institute of International Affairs website: www.chathamhouse.org/events.
“For the avoidance of doubt; the event’s keynote speakers are former Brazil Minister of Defence, Celsius Amorin; UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister of Defence Equipment Support and Technology, Celsius Amorin; Chief of the Defence Staff, UK Ministry of Defence, General Sir Nicholas Houghton; Chief Executive of BAE System, Ian King and Secretary General, Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Dr. Abdulatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani.
“Apart from the above listed five persons, 25 others are listed as speakers. “So, in which Royal Institute of International Affairs’ event is Buhari participating as a speaker?
“This is not to mock Buhari or wish him dead. Rather, it is to expose the falsehood of the APC and desperation of its leaders, especially Senator Bola Tinubu to foist another Yar’adua saga on Nigeria.”
The governor challenged the APC to prove him wrong.
All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation has denied claims by Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that it's presidential standard bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is actually being hospitalised at a London hospital and not on a working Visit to the United Kingdom as widely reported.
Reacting to Fayose’s statement, Media Director of the Buhari campaign organisation, Malam Garba Shehu, told Saturday Vanguard on phone:
"That is Fayose with his death wish for General Buhari,” adding that Buhari is not in any hospital in London.” There is nothing like that,’’ he stressed.
Asked if Buhari would give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House London, he said: ‘’We have a Thursday date. We are working on the details. May be it will be ready tomorrow or Monday, otherwise I would have given you the title of the lecture and time."
Tony Blair wrote on his face book page: After meeting the young people at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, I am even more confident for Rwanda’s future. Through the work of Agahozo-Shalom these vulnerable and orphaned children can gain the skills and confidence needed to fulfil their potential. They have a bright role to play in Rwanda’s progress and prove the transformative power of education.
Announcing his visit to the UK, a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity Directorate of All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization, APCPCO, Mallam Garba Shehu said that “in the course of this visit, General Buhari is expected to hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment and interact with some global institutions with stakeholder interest in the affairs of Nigeria.”
It further stated that ” Buhari would hopefully give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatam House in London.”
However, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State struck.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and News Media, Lere Olayinka, Mr. Fayose flayed the APC's statement, saying that it was a deceit taken to far, insisting Buhari was in London to treat his deteriorating health condition. Fayose said Mr. Buhari is being treated at a hospital located at Cavendish Street, Cavendish Square, W2 London West End, London.
He said, “The event is listed on Royal Institute of International Affairs website: www.chathamhouse.org/events.
“For the avoidance of doubt; the event’s keynote speakers are former Brazil Minister of Defence, Celsius Amorin; UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister of Defence Equipment Support and Technology, Celsius Amorin; Chief of the Defence Staff, UK Ministry of Defence, General Sir Nicholas Houghton; Chief Executive of BAE System, Ian King and Secretary General, Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Dr. Abdulatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani.
“Apart from the above listed five persons, 25 others are listed as speakers. “So, in which Royal Institute of International Affairs’ event is Buhari participating as a speaker?
“This is not to mock Buhari or wish him dead. Rather, it is to expose the falsehood of the APC and desperation of its leaders, especially Senator Bola Tinubu to foist another Yar’adua saga on Nigeria.”
The governor challenged the APC to prove him wrong.
All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation has denied claims by Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that it's presidential standard bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is actually being hospitalised at a London hospital and not on a working Visit to the United Kingdom as widely reported.
Reacting to Fayose’s statement, Media Director of the Buhari campaign organisation, Malam Garba Shehu, told Saturday Vanguard on phone:
"That is Fayose with his death wish for General Buhari,” adding that Buhari is not in any hospital in London.” There is nothing like that,’’ he stressed.
Asked if Buhari would give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House London, he said: ‘’We have a Thursday date. We are working on the details. May be it will be ready tomorrow or Monday, otherwise I would have given you the title of the lecture and time."
Meanwhile, Buhari, did a no show at a planned London Town hall meeting, on Saturday. His wife and daughter only appeared on his behalf to save the party's face.
No comments:
Post a Comment