A post shared hundreds of times on Facebook claims that the former vice president and presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, said Nigerians will die of extreme poverty under President Muhammadu Buhari. This is misleading and erroneous; what Atiku said was that Nigerians "will die to extreme poverty and live to extra and prosperity."
“Nigerians Will Die Of Extreme Poverty Under Buhari – Atiku,” reads the April 19 Facebook post by the Daily Independent newspaper, which has close to a million followers on Facebook.
A screenshot of a post, taken on April 21, claiming Atiku said Nigerians will die of extreme poverty under President Buhari
Source: UGC
READ ALSO: Fact check: Has INEC issued Osun PDP’s gov candidate Adeleke Certificate of Return?
The link in the Facebook post leads to an article on the Daily Independent's website with the same headline.
A screenshot of a post, taken on April 21, claiming Atiku said Nigerians will die of extreme poverty under President Buhari
Source: UGC
However, the article itself, which contains Atiku's Easter message to Nigerians, does not contain any line or quote attributed to the PDP presidential candidate where he said Nigerians will die of extreme hunger under President Buhari.
Instead, the article reports, correctly, Atiku's Easter message to Nigerians.
In the Easter message which was released on Thursday, April 18, Atiku said Nigeria is going through difficult times but urged Nigerians to be hopeful as “a new Nigeria is being birthed.”
He said Nigeria will surpass its challenges as one and emerge a nation “of possibilities instead of impossibilities.”
“Easter is a time of resurrection. Of dying to what was imperfect and reawakening to what is perfect. This is the message of hope which this season is all about,” the former vice president said.
“Nigeria is going through difficult times. But Easter gives us hope that, as a nation, we will die to challenges and live to our potentials. We will die to extreme poverty and live to extra and prosperity. We will die to strife and be united in life.
“Even as we celebrate, I urge all Nigerians to remember the men and women of our armed forces, who are even right now in ditches and trenches in order to keep us safe. Let us also spare a thought to those who have suffered at the hands of terrorists, marauders and criminals. A new Nigeria is being birthed. A Nigeria of possibilities instead of impossibilities.
“Suffice to say that Jesus Christ (Nabi Isa) is a compassionate friend to all who are weary and heavy laden, and as we celebrate His resurrection, let us also remember the less privileged in our midst.
“Let us also thank God for the fact that we remain as one nation under God. Where there is unity, there is much hope. Much hope indeed.”
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
An abridged version of the Easter message was shared on Atiku's Facebook page.
Verdict
The headline by Daily Independent, “Nigerians Will Die Of Extreme Poverty Under Buhari – Atiku”, used to report Atiku's Easter message is ERRONEOUS and MISLEADING.
There is no where in the Easter message where Atiku said Nigerians will die of extreme poverty under Buhari.
What Atiku clearly said was that Nigerians "will die to extreme poverty and live to extra and prosperity."
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better.
2019 Election: Atiku heads to court to contest election result, can he win? | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
