Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave alms, not bribe, says APC

Bola Ahmed Tinubu dash people money, not bribe, says APC Tinubu.

Wednesday, the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council stated that it would be unfair to label the act of compassion demonstrated by its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, as bribery.

Tuesday, a two-minute video captured Tinubu and Shettima distributing crisp naira notes to a physically challenged man at his meeting with people with disabilities in Abuja.

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Critics and opposition members, including Reno Omokri, former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, and Emeka Obasi, media aide to the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, described it as a brazen act of corruption. The video clip went viral and was widely shared on social media.

Wednesday, the Deputy Spokesperson of Tinubu/Shettima PCC, Hannatu Musawa, cleared his boss of any wrongdoing in response to the drama.

In a statement titled “Misrepresentation of a harmless video I, Hannatu Musa Musawa, posted of my principals giving alms and charity to a poor and disabled people older than 60 gentleman,” Musawa addressed the controversy surrounding the incident.

Instead of praising Tinubu and Shetima for their act of kindness towards a disabled man in need, Musawa was aghast to discover that the opposition had twisted the story to portray it as an act of bribery and corruption.

The statement read, “My attention has been drawn to the dishonest, erroneous, and incorrect narrative spun by unctuous, dissipated, debauched, and desperate elements within the opposition in an attempt to transform a perfectly innocent video I posted of a kind act I witnessed my Principals performing into something devious.

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“Recently, I attended a gathering with the APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his running mate, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, where they engaged with persons with disabilities in a robust manner. During the event, our principals had the opportunity to interact with an people older than 60 gentleman who was poor and disabled. My principals spoke with this gentleman, listened to him, and performed the tenets of charity and almsgiving towards him out of pure compassion.

“As I observed this tender moment between the three men, I felt compelled to capture it and demonstrate to the world the natural empathy that flows through the veins of my two principals, as well as their innate altruism.”

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While stating that the clip was not shared in error, the legal icon revealed that she shared the viral video to tell a compelling and compassionate tale of leadership demonstrated by her teachers.

Musawa remarked that while it is regrettable that the opposition refuses issue-based campaigns and manifestos, it is evident that they are grasping at straws and employing extreme strategies to remain relevant.

She stated, “I posted the video not by accident, but with the intention of telling the story of the compassionate leadership that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Kashim Shetima will provide to Nigeria if they win the upcoming election by the grace of God.

“As I observe the opposition’s Svengali’s attempting to impose a specific negative narrative on the public, it is evident that the falsehood being propagated is the result of the devious imagination and nefarious plotting of a desperate and self-combusting opposition.

“I would have disregarded the musings as the ravings of a meaningless opposition. However, I am compelled to respond due to the possibility of innocent Nigerians being misled by such deceptive rhetoric.

“On Monday, December 19, 2022, at approximately 4:48 p.m., I observed my two principals, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Kashim Shetima, perform an act of kindness for a destitute and disabled man who was in dire need. After observing them, I was further persuaded that they were two men of precious faith with a kind, empathetic, and compassionate heart. And I believed it was a story that required telling.

“In the Bible, under Psalm 112:5-9, it is written, ‘It is well with the gracious and lending man; He will maintain his cause in judgement. Because he cannot be shaken, the righteous will be remembered forever. He is unafraid of bad news; His heart is steadfast and trusts in the Lord.

“In Islam, we are taught that the prophet (PBUH) says in a hadith, ‘Muslims can only help one another by crossing the bridge of almsgiving. Almsgiving By virtue of the two holy teachings, Muslims and Christians are required to give charity and alms specifically to help the poor.

This two-minute video clip was a visual representation of my principal’s concern for the disadvantaged. Instead of praising Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Kashim Shetima for their generous act toward a man who was obviously in need, the opposition has regrettably chosen to put a negative spin on a story of goodwill and sheer generosity.

“With the trajectory of the upcoming election indicating that the pendulum is swinging in favour of an APC victory, there is no doubt that the opposition is acting like the proverbial “drowning man” intent on dragging others down with him. And while there is little point in engaging with a losing opposition, it is essential to highlight their diversionary rhetoric and strategies.

“Even though I understand the despondency and misery of the PDP, who have been hit worse than the Titanic speeding towards the iceberg with the loss of 5 ‘brightly shining’ governors, and the anguish and despair of the Labour party, who have a ‘Constitutional Impossibility’ of winning the next election based on Section 134 of The Constitution, it would be prudent for them to remain focused on the issues while they attempt to resolve their internal issues.

“I am confident that on February 25, 2023, Nigerians will exercise their constitutional right and decisively vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to become the 17th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I urge Nigerians to disregard any falsehoods attached to my video depicting an act of kindness and compassion, and instead focus on collectively working to advance our nation by ensuring that Nigeria’s upcoming elections are the most free and fair in its history,” he said.