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Tinubu makes clarification on ‘I’m ready to get dirty’ comment
By Ibrahim Adeleke
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu has made clarification on his ‘I’m ready to get dirty’ comment.
Media reports had quoted Tinubu to have on Sunday, during a consultation and engagement visit to the Olubadan-Designate, Lekan Balogun, in Ibadan, told newsmen that he was “ready to get dirty” to achieve his presidential ambition.
However, reacting in a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, on Monday in Lagos, Tinubu said the comment was taken out of context.
He said, “This caption and report are inaccurate and erroneous. Sadly, the wrong headline and story have been latched on by some online platforms/blogs and commentators to pour invective on my person.
“These commentaries and remarks are unfortunate because they are groundless, misinformed, and misdirected. Hence, this clarification has become imperative.”
The APC leader stressed that at no time during the visit and in his speech did he indicate that he would fight dirty for his presidential ambition.
Noting that Tinubu’s words were carefully chosen, the statement said, “For clarity, Tinubu, while addressing the Olubadan designate, said: ‘Kabiyesi, all I have come for is to beg you to continue to pray for me, the entire Yoruba race and the country.
‘I am out to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there is a wise saying that if you want to wrestle with the pig, be ready to get dirty and deal with the poo-poo (feaces).
‘I am ready to get dirty. No intimidation, no blackmail, no sort of insult will get me angry to the extent that I will say no more, I don’t want again.’”
Tinubu appealed to the media, as the 2023 election approaches, not to allow their platforms to be used in the desperate smear campaigns by politicians.
“The duty of the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm is a sacred one which must be guarded jealously,” he said.
