The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday ruled out reports on his plans to join the 2023 presidential race.
This is coming on the heels of the emergence of some viral posters from a group, “The Nigeria Project 2023”, allegedly presenting the Minister and the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum as presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively of an unnamed political party.
But in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Hakeem Bello, the minister distanced itself from the group, saying he has never met with them.
“Ordinarily, the poster and the various social media reports almost instantly orchestrated on its account would have been ignored as the handiwork of mischief-makers. However, it became necessary to issue this disclaimer for two key 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.
“Without equivocation, no individual or group has contacted the Honorable Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023,” the statement read.
It stated that the minister 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,” the statement added.
In view of this, the minister urged members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and support groups whose real intentions remain questionable.
“Every support possible should be given to the efforts of the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver a better nation for all,” it said.