Presidency Thrashes Reports Of PMB’s Attack In Kebbi
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Presidency has thrashed as the “work of mischief makers” a video circulating on social media platforms as an attack on President Muhammadu Buhari in Kebbi State on Thursday.
The said video that went viral had a young man charging towards the President, who with other dignitaries, were lining up for a group photograph, in Kebbi on Thursday. He was quickly put in check and whisked away by security personnel around.
But in the usual social media activism, some users easily passed off the scene as an angry Nigerian youth attempting to physically attack President Buhari at the event.
Putting the records in a statement issued late Thursday night, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the young man in the video was indeed an “enthusiastic youth, who was too excited to hold himself back, seeing his President in the flesh.”
Adesina however, described the narrations in social media platforms as the machinations of “contortionists and malicious minds”, even as he called on members of the public to ignore the story.
According to the statement, “President Muhammadu Buhari was in Kebbi State Thursday to declare open the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival. It was the first time the international tourism event would hold in eleven years, as security considerations had rendered it impracticable.
“As the President went round the arena to inspect rice pyramids on display, and take photographs with farmers, a young man was so very excited to see his President so close. He made an attempt to get to him.”
Adesina further explained thus: “World over, such would not be allowed by security details. The young man was prevented, and he protested that he should be allowed to greet his President.
“Now, professional contortionists are making mischief of the event. They are passing the video clip off on social media as an attempt to attack the President.”
“Malicious people always twist things to give a negative narrative. But they simply dash their heads against the wall. The country moves on”, Adesina said.
