Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has dissociated himself from groups operating under The Nigeria Project 2023 purportedly campaigning for him and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum over the 2023 elections.
A poster from the group allegedly presenting Messrs Fashola and Zulum as presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively of an unnamed political party has been circulating on social media.
Fashola’s spokesman Hakeem Bello said in a disclaimer on Sunday that he was addressing the issue for two reasons.
“The first of such was to answer with a strong negative to the numerous inquiries from right thinking and well-meaning Nigerians on whether the Honorable Minister had been contacted or if the Groups had his consent in issuing the invitation,” he said.
“Without equivocation, no individual or group has contacted the Honorable Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023. As Honorable Minister, Mr. Fashola is currently focused on leading his dedicated Team in the Ministry of Works and Housing to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for an expanded and upgraded road transport infrastructure; and affordable Housing nationwide in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the citizenry.
“Secondly, is the fact that entities unknown to a political party cannot present candidates on behalf of such a political party. As a ranking and loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the individual and groups cited as promoters of The Nigeria Project 2023 are unknown to the APC and the Honorable Minister.
“Against the backdrop of the foregoing, the Honorable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN urges members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and Support Groups whose real intentions remain questionable.”
He added that every support possible should be given to the effort of the Buhari administration to deliver a better nation for all.
