The presidency has discredited a viral statement titled “Tinubu Speaks” that was attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale issued a brief statement on Saturday, dismissing the statement as fake.
Ngelale emphasized the inauthenticity of the circulating statement: “Based on recent inquiries, I wish to reiterate that this is fake and does not emanate from the Presidency.”
The fake statement, widely shared on social media, purported to address the nation’s economic challenges. It included drastic measures such as a 50% salary cut for top government officials, the abolition of the Office of the First Lady, and the restoration of fuel and electricity subsidies.
Additionally, the statement falsely claimed that the President planned to reduce the number of ministers, sell presidential aircraft, and ban foreign medical trips for government officials.
This clarification comes amid heightened tensions over the planned hardship protest in Nigeria from August 1 to 10.
