A viral video clip claimed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) will marry a Katsina-based woman identified as Khadija Abubakar Bawa.
The video revealed that the former governor of Lagos State would wed Khadija, and the governors of Katsina and Kano states were contracted as representatives of the bride and the groom respectively.
CLAIM
Governor Ifedolapo Osun, a Twitter handle managed by a member of the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Media Campaign Committee claimed in the video that the wedding will take place on Saturday, February 18 at the Central Mosque Katsina, Katsina State.
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It claimed that Aminu Bello Masari, the Katsina State Governor will represent the bride’s family while Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State will receive the wedding contract on behalf of the Tinubu’s family as enshrined in Islam.
“For you to know how desperate Tinubu is concerning NORTHERN Votes, He’s set to marry a Northerner this Saturday in Kastina,” the handler tweeted. “Meanwhile, some people will say Yoruba ronu [Yorubas wear your thinking cap], why is Tinubu leaving your sister to marry a NORTHERNER???”
VERIFICATION
A fact check by WikkiTimes shows that the video neither emanates from Tinubu nor his affiliates. Tweeps reacted to the tweet, insisting the video was faked.
WikkiTimes sent an enquiry to Tinubu but it had not been responded to at press time. But a statement issued yesterday by the Head of the Media Office of the Presidential candidate, Tunde Rahman refuted the claim.
The statement read: “We have seen fake news that has gone viral on social media purporting that the All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to take a new wife. This is what it is: fake and groundless news.
“He Asíwájú is enjoying his marriage to his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which is blessed with excellent children. He is not ready to take an additional wife, whether a Christian or a Muslim.
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“We know the intention of those peddling a new Muslim wife is not only to cause discord within the extremely peaceful family of Asíwájú Tinubu but to also create disaffection within the Christian community.
“Their intention has failed. It will not cut a dice anywhere. We enjoin our people to completely disregard the unfounded news.
“Asíwájú Tinubu is at present focused on his campaign to emerge the president of this country come February 25, 2023, in order to rekindle the hope of our people in a better, stronger, more secure and prosperous Nigeria.
“Senator Oluremi Tinubu is also busy traversing the length and breadth of the country canvassing support for her husband. They will not be distracted by this baseless news.”
VERDICT
The claim that Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate is marrying a Katsina woman is unfounded, fake and not true.
