2019 presidency: Awolowo denies endorsing Buhari, Osinbajo

The Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria, ANN, PLC, publishers of Tribune titles, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, has denied endorsing, the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

She said the political campaign posters in circulation purportedly printed, courtesy of herself was not from her.

Dr Awolowo reacted in a statement she personally signed and made available to journalists on Sunday.

She pointed out that though it was her right to endorse candidates for political offices based on her conviction, it was not transferable.

Her statement added, “My attention has been drawn to political campaign posters in circulation and on some online platforms, purportedly printed, courtesy of myself, in endorsement of the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket ahead of the presidential election coming up on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

“Whereas, it is my right to endorse candidates for political offices based on my conviction, this inalienable right is not transferable. I, therefore, consider this attempted blackmail utterly preposterous and I totally reject it.

“I do not belong to any political party. I restate my commitment to the sustenance and promotion of the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his Jewel, Yeye Oodua H. I. D. Awolowo, in every detail. I note the emerging consensus that Awo’s prescriptions continue to be the unassailable strategies for development in this country.

“I remain convinced that Awo was translated from a partisan politician to a universal ideal on May 9, 1987. It is on the basis of this principle, therefore, that I have piloted the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation for the past 25 years and, lately, the HID Awolowo Foundation as strictly non-partisan institutions, for the incisive interrogation of issues that impact on the Nigerian people and their development.

“Finally, let me state in unequivocal terms that I, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, never commissioned any person(s) to print posters with my photograph endorsing any candidates for any elections. Any publication to that effect is fraudulent and should be dismissed in its entirety.”