ADC, APC PCC clash over accusations of fake news

The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) both engaged in a verbal confrontation, with each group accusing the other of the alleged use of fake news to achieve ulterior motives.

While the APC PCC accused the ADC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of orchestrating a fake news campaign to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign flag in Kaduna on Saturday, the ADC accused the APC of using the fake news allegations to divert attention from the economic hardships facing the Nigerian people under President Bola Tinubu.

The APC-PCC in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dele Alake said it uncovered a “well-orchestrated and cunning plan” to misinform the public through AI, fake videos and fake documents targeting the APC rally, President Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and APC leaders.

According to the council, the plot began with the circulation of images of security vehicles carrying out routine patrols near APC campaign billboards in Kaduna metropolis, which were distorted to claim that security agents were deployed to protect APC billboards.

The council said the story was published in national newspapers and later shared by Atiku on his social media accounts.

Alake added that the second leg was the online circulation of a fake letter purportedly written by Sani to the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, regarding the alleged disbursement of N2.3 trillion by the Kaduna State Government to host the rally.

He added: “We are still confused as to how anyone could imagine and fabricate such absurd and baseless lies that defy logic and common sense.

“What is the entire annual income of Kaduna State, or any state, that a state would spend N2.3 trillion to hold a rally?” Alake asked.

Alake noted that the alleged N2.3 trillion was greater than the combined annual budget of Kaduna State for three years, citing the state budget for 2024 at N458.271 billion, 2025 at N790.439 billion, and 2026 at N985.9 billion, which he said was still short of N2.3 trillion.

The council claimed Atiku and the ADC had also perfected plans to circulate old, doctored and fake videos during the protests to show the hatred of the people.

Alake said: “We hereby use this opportunity to remind the general public of this evil and despicable plan. It is a fact that Atiku Abubakar and ADC, his special purpose vehicle, are incapable of winning any election.

“They will do whatever it takes, no matter how despicable or cruel, to persist in their desperate attempt to seize power at all costs.”

The APC Campaign Council urged Nigerians to be vigilant and reject what it described as the machinations of the opposition.