The Nigerian Presidency has firmly denied circulating reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected an invitation from the White House, calling the statement “fake, misleading, and entirely fabricated.”
In a statement issued on Friday, presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale debunked the widely shared claim, which had suggested that President Tinubu snubbed a White House invitation due to alleged policy disagreements with U.S. President Joe Biden. The alleged statement had gone viral on social media platforms, sparking public debate and media speculation.
“There was no such invitation from the White House that was either received or declined,” Ngelale clarified. “The claims being circulated are baseless and appear to be the work of those trying to undermine Nigeria’s foreign relations and mislead the public.”
The presidency emphasized that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United States remain strong and constructive, and that both administrations continue to engage on multiple levels—particularly in the areas of security cooperation, trade, and climate change.
The fake statement, which appeared in the format of an official release, had alleged that Tinubu declined the supposed invitation over concerns about U.S. policies in Africa. Analysts now suspect the document was generated by bad actors intent on sowing confusion and tension ahead of upcoming diplomatic meetings.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also weighed in, condemning the misinformation and warning that such disinformation campaigns could strain international relationships and compromise the country’s global standing.
Political observers note that the timing of the fake statement coincided with increasing scrutiny of Nigeria’s diplomatic posture under Tinubu’s administration. However, both Nigerian and U.S. officials have affirmed continued collaboration on a wide range of strategic issues.
“The relationship between the United States and Nigeria is not only intact—it is thriving,” a U.S. Embassy official in Abuja said in response to the controversy. “Any reports suggesting a diplomatic fallout are entirely false.”
This is not the first time Nigeria’s presidency has had to debunk misleading or completely fake reports circulating online. In recent months, disinformation and forged government statements have become more common—highlighting the growing challenges of digital misinformation in the age of viral content.
The presidency reiterated its commitment to transparency and urged the public and media outlets to verify information through official government channels before spreading unconfirmed reports.
Source : Swifteradio.com
