Baba-Ahmed disowns social media accounts created with his name

The vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has disowned the viral social media accounts created in his name.

Baba-Ahmed made this known via a statement issued on Monday.

According to him, the aim is to spread fake news and hamper the growing popularity of his joint presidential ticket with Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 general election.

He said: “Impostors had right from inception of the various social media platforms opened accounts in my name before me. I wrote several complaints accordingly which were never attended to satisfactorily. This situation remained for nearly a decade, and I decided to rather be inactive on the platforms till my complaints were resolved.

“On 24 May 2022, I withdrew from Kaduna State governorship primaries under the PDP on grounds of divergent principles.

“From 25 June 2022, I began receiving indications of a possible calling to serve my nation again this time under Labour Party which culminated in my unveiling on 8 July 2022.”

The LP vice-presidential candidate further recalled how he was interviewed by BBC immediately after the event, saying the content of the interview was misrepresented by another social media platform.

Baba-Ahmed said a complaint was immediately made, noting that the report was eventually removed, but only after much damage was caused.

He added: “Ever since indications began to appear about my joining the Labour Party, more impostors hurriedly opened more accounts in my name, in most cases misspelt or in wrong format.

“Complaints about the fake accounts have been duly lodged with the relevant host platforms, while I wait and continue to suffer the consequences of mischievous communications done by others in my name.

“I must acknowledge and appreciate the diligence of well-meaning followers who were quick to observe and object to these accounts on basis of their good knowledge of me.”

Baba-Ahmed stated that some of the posts on the accounts were aimed at portraying him negatively in relation to certain sentiments and core values of society.

He accused opponents and “enemies of progress” of making moves to stain his image and distract him and Peter Obi from the “noble objective to rescue Nigeria”.

The Labour Party vice-presidential candidate stressed that there must be more decent ways for disagreeing with a political simple choice.

“All interested parties are welcome to approach HE on how to be accommodated in rescuing Nigeria.

“I hereby dissociate my humble self from the creation, ownership, and operation of any such social media accounts. I equally declare that all exchanges and communications therefrom are without my knowledge or input in any way whatsoever,” he added.

Baba-Ahmed, therefore, urged the general public to disregard any messages from the social media accounts.

The Star

Aminu Adamu Naganye