The Presidency has raised the alarm over alleged plan by some political elements to embark on a smear campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.
The campaign, according to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, was designed to portray the president as not being in charge of the affairs of government.
He said some online newspapers were already being recruited to do the job.
Adesina, however, warned members of the public to be discerning and not be deceived.
He added that President Buhari remained committed to serving the country to the best of his ability.
The statement reads in full:
SMEAR CAMPAIGN ALERT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT
The general public is hereby alerted to a smear campaign in the works against Mr President and his office, by disgruntled political elements in the country, who have been shopping for pliant online media that will serve as accomplices in their nefarious act.
The game plan is to launch orchestrated campaign of calumny in the days ahead, in which President Muhammadu Buhari would be portrayed as not being in charge of the country, a narrative already started from a procured offshore medium by the instigators.
Money and other attractive inducements are being dangled before the online media, and some of them are already complicit, cooking up stories with jejune and unsubstantiated allegations, all to sow seeds of discord and discontent in the country.
Nigerians are urged to be wary and discerning in what they consume as news and special reports from such online media, as they are in cahoots with agents of destabilisation, seeking ultimate political gains.
President Buhari remains focused and single-minded in his determination to serve the country to the best of his ability, bringing change to different facets of our national life. This is already evident in infrastructure as seen in roads, rail, bridges, airports, and many other strides round the country. Agriculture is another worthy testimonial.
The fight against corruption, insecurity, and retooling of the economy also proceed apace, and the Buhari Administration will not be distracted, and will continue to serve with heart and might, irrespective of all shenanigans.
