Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential flagbearer of All Progressives Congress (APC) and his running mate, Kashim Shetima were spotted in a video giving cash to a man, but the party justified it as almsgiving.
However, many people described it as “bribery and vote-buying.” Responding to the clip, Hannatu Musawa, deputy spokesperson for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in a statement, described it as a misrepresentation.
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She said Tinubu was performing an act of almsgiving and charity to ‘a poor disabled gentleman’ and not offering a bribe. Musawa further accused the opposition of turning a perfectly innocent video into something mendacious and devious.
Part of 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 to turn a perfectly innocent video I posted of a kind act I witnessed my Principals carrying out into something mendacious and devious.
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“On Monday the 19th December 2022 at approximately 4:48 pm, I watched with appreciation and approbation as my two principals, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Kashim Shetima performed an act of kindness towards a poor and disabled man who was truly in need.
“After watching them, I was further convinced that these were two men of precious faith that have the heart of kindness, empathy and compassion. And I believed it was a story that needed to be told.
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“Almsgiving by virtue of the two holy teachings, giving charity and alms specifically to help the poor become a core tenant for Muslims and Christians to abide by.”
Most politicians share money during campaigns to get the trust of prospective voters. Nigeria’s forthcoming elections are held in February with the ruling party, APC and other parties including the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
