It looks like some online news websites like SaharaReporters and Naija Parrot are spreading “rumours” that Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo spent Valentine’s Day in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The Presidency is not pleased with this rumour and say that the Vice President and his wife were in Abuja throughout February 14, 2015. And there are photos showing them at church service in the Aso Villa Chapel that morning.
In a press statement delivered to The Trent by email on Monday, February 22, 2016, the office of the Vice President says that the reports that say that the Osinbajos were in Dubai are untrue.
“Our attention has been drawn to some erroneous reports and claims on the internet regarding the whereabouts of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and his wife, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo on February 14, 2016 – Valentine’s Day,” the statement signed by senior special assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akanda said.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, the Vice President and his wife were in Abuja on the said date. In fact, they both attended worship service earlier in the day-a Sunday- at the Aso Rock Villa Chapel alongside several other Nigerians including my humble self.
“Claims that the Vice President and his wife spent Valentine’s Day anywhere outside the country is both false and mischievous. Such incorrect and untrue reports should be utterly dismissed and completely ignored,” the statement said.
So where did the websites saying the Osinbajos were in Dubai get their story from? They claim that Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo shared the photo below on Instagram showing her and her husband on the streets of Dubai. According an opinion editorial on SaharaReporters, Mrs. Osinbajo wrote on Instagram, “Look at us! Yemi and I. We are here in Dubai, picnicking!”
The photo is still on her Instagram page. But the note there says, “Photo taken in 2015”. It is odd that people would see the photo and not notice the note beside and proceed to manufacture a note that wasn’t there.
