Presidency disowns presidential directive 'bromide' on Tinubu, APC

Presidency on Wednesday disowned the bromide of an alleged presidential order targeting the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and the proposed All Progressives Congress.

One of the national newspapers had reported that it was in possession of a presidential directive, which showed that the Presidency had given the  orders to frustrate the merger of the opposition parties.

Following the Presidency's denial of the  order, the newspaper on Wednesday published the bromide of the directive.

But in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the Presidency described the bromide as fictitious, saying it was designed to mislead the public and discredit the person and office of the President.

Abati said a careful examination of the published document revealed what he described as 'mishmash of deliberately arranged lies.'

The statement read, 'It is worth pointing out, again, that what is being bandied around by a section of the media as a 'Presidential Directive' on Tinubu, APC and other matters, is fictitious, designed to mislead the public, discredit the person and office of President Goodluck Jonathan and cause disaffection within the polity.

'Careful examination reveals a mishmash of deliberately arranged and concocted lies, presented to the public as evidence of a document emanating from the Presidency. This is not only dubious but raises concerns as to the length certain persons will go to perpetuate falsehood for the sake of their selfish ambitions.

'Several interpretations of the purported Presidential directive appear to have been granted prominence by an all-too-negative segment of the media, supported by partisan political jobbers all on the premise of a suspicious-looking 'bromide'.'