The Presidency has firmly dismissed as false, recent social media claims that President Bola Tinubu coerced prominent Nigerians to participate in an arbitration proceeding in Paris, where the Nigerian Government is currently a party.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, the special adviser on information and strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the private arbitration process, which should remain confidential until the international arbitrators make their final decision, has been misrepresented by various online sources.
He stressed that all individuals involved in Nigeria’s defence in the ongoing case were doing so willingly, driven by patriotism and a strong sense of conviction.
“These eminent Nigerians have voluntarily agreed to support the country in its legal defence. At no point has President Tinubu pressured anyone to testify in favour of Nigeria, nor has anyone been prevented from doing so,” Onanuga said .
The Presidency went on to emphasise the importance of respecting the confidentiality of the arbitration, underlining that it should not have been subject to media reports at this stage.
“This is a private proceeding, and it is in the best interest of Nigeria and the legal process that it remains so until the international arbitrators reach a conclusion.”
Acknowledging the crucial role of the Nigerians volunteering in the case, the statement concluded with a note of gratitude from President Tinubu and the nation.
“The President and the entire country are deeply thankful for the commitment and patriotism shown by those who have stepped forward to represent Nigeria’s interests at this time,” the Presidential media aide stated.