The Federal Government has slammed the vituperations of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state, alleging there are elements in Aso Rock trying to frustrate the presidential bid of the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the forthcoming general elections.
The presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari was unaware of elements working to sabotage the winning chances of the ruling APC as claimed by El-Rufai.
Earlier, the Kaduna Governor, during a television interview on Wednesday, alleged plots by some unnamed “elements” within the Presidency, to make sure Tinubu loses on February 25.
El-Rufai blamed some of the government policies including the naira redesign and persistent fuel scarcity in the country on 5th Columnist, saying that naira redesign and persistent fuel scarcity may cause unrest in the country.
According to him, the policy of currency redesign at this moment was the idea of a few people in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, claiming that it was never the policy of the APC.
Reacting to the claims, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, while addressing a press conference at the presidential villa said the government was not aware of anyone within the villa that is working against any candidate in next month’s presidential election
Mohammed said the government has been fair to all candidates regardless of party affiliation and that Buhari has consistently demonstrated that he is for free, fair and credible elections.
Mohammed said: “On a more serious note, one thing I can assure you is that no matter what, this administration is focused, determined to ensure a free and fair election. But I think with this administration the most important person is Mr. President and I think he has shown by words and by deeds that he is dedicated to fa ree fair and credible election.
“And fair, free, credible elections actually means not backing anybody. And everywhere he goes he makes that very clear even as recently as Friday when he was in Daura, he said the same thing.
“If there’s anybody working against a candidate we don’t know officially.”
