Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), did not advise youths in the south-west geopolitical zone not to participate in the planned protest.
A youth-led nationwide protest over economic hardship has been slated for August 1-10.
Despite pleas by President Bola Tinubu, governors and security chiefs, the organisers have insisted on the demonstration.
Recently, a post —credited to George— appeared on Whatsapp, warning Nigerians in the south-west stay off the streets.
The author argued that the planned demonstration would lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties like the #EndSARS protest.
“It is 2024, and here we go again. We are asking the siting President to give us a report of 60 years’ rot in 1 year,” part of the post reads.
“And, the South, especially the South West where the President is from, must prove a point now. Would you stand for your son or stand against him? I think that, we would stand with our son too! I think that the whole South should stand for their son also.”
When contacted, Femi Obaparusi, personal assistant to George, told TheCable that his principal did not author the purported letter which ended with “Dr. Bode Gbore, wrote this from Abuja on July 26th, 2024 at 0630hours”.
A search by TheCable revealed that the post was made by a Facebook user identified as Bode Gbore on July 26.
The post was later shared on WhatsApp under the guise that it was written by George, a former military governor of Ondo state.
