The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the United Kingdom, Tunde Doherty, has finally broken his silence over claims that he held a secret meeting with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, in London.
The claim started after a photograph taken outside Chatham House went viral, with some social media users alleging that Doherty was seen with Amupitan.
But speaking in a statement on Sunday, Doherty said there was no meeting and no secret deal, describing the story as pure fabrication.
According to him, he went to Chatham House on his own as the leader of the APC in the UK to attend a public event, and not as part of INEC’s delegation.
“I never met Amupitan. I was not with his team. I was not an official of INEC. I am the APC Chairman in the UK and I attended the event openly,” Doherty said.
He explained that the man in the viral photo wearing an APC cap was him, and not the INEC Chairman as some people claimed online.
Doherty said Chatham House is an open place where public discussions are held, and he had every right as a Nigerian to attend.
He also condemned the reported attack on Amupitan in London, saying it was wrong for anyone to harass the INEC boss, no matter their political leaning.
He urged Nigerians to ignore the fake stories, adding that his presence at the event did not in any way affect the independence of INEC.
“I remain committed to President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nobody should use my picture to create a story that does not exist,” he added.