A pro-Bola Tinubu coalition, the Support Groups Management Council, says the viral photograph of the All Progressives Congress leader pictured in a wet dress is the work of mischief-makers.
In a statement on Sunday, the coalition said the viral photo was manipulated, noting that Tinubu is healthy and physically fit to be Nigeria’s President in 2023, contrary to claims by propagandists.
Tinubu had on Saturday visited some top traditional rulers in Ogun State including the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, to seek royal blessing on his presidential ambition.
Photo of Tinubu wet around his lower region had surfaced online with many saying the APC leader is suffering from a urinary condition.
But in its statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Biodun Ajiboye, the pro-Tinubu group described the claim as false.
The statement was titled, ‘Evildoers, destroyers of destiny are at it again’.
It partly read, “The success Asiwaju Tinubu recorded at these high-level visitations to top traditional rulers had again led enemies of progress, the brewers of hate, discord and disharmony to script a dirty tale to discredit this awesome outing. This time it is that he wetted his dress!
“Assuming without conceding that is the case, so is it the back of his knees that would be wet and not the bum area? So if he wetted his babariga, he would not cover it and would still move to be flat to greet the Awujale of Ijebuland in the full glare of everyone present? It was the usual photoshop manipulations and shallow mental agility that pushed them to dispense a feeble narrative that made no iota of sense.
“Yet as their video showed, it was after their wetting incident that he went ahead and prostrated to Kabiyesi.
“This is another distraction, no amount of distractions or attempts to discredit Asiwaju will work to remove the wall from his political wind.
“Asiwaju Tinubu has declared his interest in the presidential race. He has his legs on the throttle. There is no going back.
“We appeal to Nigerian to ignore the evil-minded machinations and assure Nigerians that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is healthy and strong enough to undertake the responsibilities involved in the expected rigours of campaigns and politicking when the time comes.”
Tinubu had stayed in the United Kingdom for over three months in 2021 when he underwent surgery and therapy for knee injury.
He, however, returned to the country in October of the same year and travelled to some parts of the country to meet political juggernauts and stakeholders ahead of next election.
The health condition of the 69-year-old APC leader has constantly become a subject of controversy but many of his staunch supporters have argued that Tinubu is fit to become Nigeria’s President, adding that he is not older than the current President of the United States, Joe Biden, 79; and his predecessor, Donald Trump, 75.
Photoshop is done on pictures and not videos.