FACT-CHECK: FALSE! Tinubu not dropping out of 2023 race

By Alao Abiodun

Claim: Some social media users have shared unverified and unsubstantiated reports that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is planning to drop out of the race on health grounds.

Verdict: This is false and misleading! Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not dropping out of the 2023 presidential race.

TINUBU AND 2023 RACE

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, social media has been awash with unverified reports about the health of Tinubu.

But for the umpteenth time, the former Lagos Governor has continued to prove critics wrong, saying he is psychologically fit to contest for presidency in 2023.

He has participated in a series of political meetings, touring states tirelessly, since he emerged as the party’s standard bearer.

September will herald political campaigns nationwide and such unsubstantiated reports and rumours will also dominate the political space.

A Twitter user — Omotayo Williams (@KadunaResident) on September 10, claimed that: “Tinubu is planning to drop out of the race due to health reasons. His health needs immediate attention which will affect APC’s campaign. @OfficialAPCNg is currently in a state of confusion – Sources (10 September 2022)

“In the coming days, if you hear Tinubu is traveling out of the country, this is the reason – Very bad health. @OfficialAPCNg will try it’s best to hide his trip, but I trust my sources to let me know when he travels.

Also, another user — @General_Oluchi said: “I just heard that Tinubu is planning to drop out of the race due to health reasons. He is planning to travel abroad for weeks which might affect the campaign. His team doesn’t want to announce it yet but eventually they will.”

As a leading candidate in the 2023 polls, Tinubu had stated that qualifying to be President of Nigeria doesn’t require strength but intelligence and smartness to overcome the numerous problems bedevilling the country.

VERIFICATION

Tinubu’s itinerary in the past few days includes attending Jumat prayers at the Dantata Mosque in Abuja on September 9th. He also made a recent visit to the National Secretariat of APC in Abuja. Tinubu showed active and agile status.

The spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign, Festus Keyamo denied the unverified reports that Tinubu is dropping out of the race.

Keyamo during a Twitter space titled: “Why Tinubu is the best man to govern Nigeria in 2023”, monitored by our correspondent on Sunday night, debunked the rumours.

“Once campaigns begin, we will be aggressive in checking and educating Nigerians against fake news. Negative things in social media about Tinubu are mostly fake news.”

He stated that Tinubu has been a subject of many attacks because of his bright chances of winning the 2023 polls.

“Asiwaju Tinubu is very healthy, strong and not withdrawing from the race.” Keyamo added.