The presidential candidate and national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has denied holding a meeting with the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, in France or anywhere.
The denial was issued against the backdrop of a social media post said to have been made by an APC chieftain in Lagos that the two politicians who are of different parties met in France.
In a statement by his media office, signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu said however that he held Wike in high esteem.
He added that given the national and across-party lines appeal of his candidature, he would not hesitate to meet any important national leader when desirable.
The statement reads:
“We have seen a viral social media post made by one of the chieftains of All Progressives Congress in Lagos State and media reports emanating from same about a supposed meeting in France between APC Presidential Standard-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
“It has become imperative to set the record straight. Although Asiwaju Tinubu is presently in France, he didn’t have any meeting with Governor Wike whether in that country or anywhere whatsoever.
“This, however, does not detract from the fact that the APC presidential candidate holds Governor Wike in high esteem.
“And given the national and across-party lines appeal of Asiwaju Tinubu’s candidature, he will not hesitate to meet any important national leader when desirable.
“As made public earlier, Asiwaju Tinubu is in France for some important engagements. He will return to the country shortly.
“We would like, once again, to advise journalists to always cross-check their information with appropriate officers before rushing to press to avoid unintended errors.”