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Dangote denies endorsing Obaseki, any candidate
BY NICHOLAS ABE
Africa’s richest man, Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, has stoutly resisted attempt by some persons to railroad him into the murky waters of politics, specifically the heated politics of Edo State.
Group Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Dangote Group, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, on Sunday refuted an allegation that his boss, billionaire Dangote had endorsed the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for a second term in office.
Obaseki assumed office in 2016 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but in the twilight of his tenure he cross-carpeted to PDP following supremacy battle between him and his estranged godfather, suspended National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole.
Reacting to a report in an online medium that Dangote had endorsed Obaseki, Chiejina said in a statement that the report was an “outright falsehood and a figment of the imagination of the writers”, adding that his boss was a businessman and not a politician.
“Our attention has been drawn to an online publication titled “Edo Guber: Dangote endorses Godwin Obaseki for second tenure.
READ: Edo Govt says video on Dangote truck misleading
“This is the first time that I have seen people publicly campaign for electoral office using the name of my boss and I have to stop it immediately so that others will not try it in future.
“The said interview allegedly granted by Aliko Dangote in Abuja is an outright falsehood, a malicious, irresponsible and mischievous act aimed at tarnishing my boss’s reputation. Aliko Dangote has not travelled out of Lagos since March 19, 2020.
“In fact, he said he has not crossed the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge since that date. His name and personality should not be drawn into any political campaign.
“Aliko Dangote is an entrepreneur and business leader whose focus is on development, job creation and philanthropy. He has not endorsed anyone for electoral positions in Edo or any other state of Nigeria.
“We caution the public to ignore claims from any quarter that associate the Dangote name or brand with partisan politics,” Chiejina clarified.