In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Mr. Nkwocha firmly dismissed a recent publication as a fabrication completely detached from reality. He emphasized that such misinformation could only gain traction among individuals unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Nigerian government.
Nkwocha urged the public to disregard these malicious reports, calling on media outlets to rely on credible sources and approach sensational claims with the necessary skepticism and caution.
“This is a collective responsibility we owe ourselves as a nation,” he added.
He highlighted that, in recent times, there has been a deliberate and coordinated campaign of falsehoods targeted at tarnishing the image of Vice President Kashim Shettima and his office. According to Nkwocha, these false narratives have taken various forms, all with the intention of sowing confusion and insinuating divisions within the presidency.
Addressing the most recent falsehood, Nkwocha referred to a fabricated report alleging that Vice President Shettima had been denied access to the Presidential Villa. He categorically denied the claim, stating, “Nothing of the sort ever happened.”
He described the publication by obscure blogs alleging that armed military personnel had barricaded the Vice President from the villa as “the wildest expression of wishful thinking” and a clear demonstration that the authors have exhausted both creativity and credibility.
Nkwocha also recalled that earlier in the week, the presidency had refuted similarly baseless reports concerning campaign posters featuring President Bola Tinubu, stressing that these attempts aim to question the loyalty and constitutional fidelity of the President and his Deputy.
“Let it be clear that those promoting these falsehoods are engaging in a futile exercise,” Nkwocha stated. “It is regrettable that these mischief-makers continue to underestimate the strong bond and mutual goodwill between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.”
He criticized the reliance on questionable sources and stressed that the fabricated stories serve no purpose beyond creating distractions.
Despite these attacks, Nkwocha affirmed that Vice President Shettima remains unwaveringly focused on his responsibilities and his support for the President’s agenda to fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians. He noted that the Vice President is committed to his duties and has no time for distractions, particularly those fueled by individuals seeking to stir unrest through fictitious narratives.
“Shettima will not and has never engaged in their media circus. Their efforts are ultimately futile, even by the standards of the morally indifferent,” Nkwocha asserted.
He also commended Nigerians from all walks of life who continue to express their support for the Tinubu administration and actively combat the spread of fake news.
“Your trust and support are deeply appreciated,” he said, emphasizing that the government’s mandate, secured through a legitimate and constitutional process, remains unshakable.
“No amount of misinformation or fabricated tension can weaken the foundation of this democratic mandate, certainly not under President Tinubu’s leadership,” Nkwocha concluded.
