Popular Nigerian R&B artiste, Bankole Wellington (Banky W) has described as disappointing, frustrating and sad, a report that he alongside some Nigerian youths were contracted with the sum of N200 million (two hundred million naira) to put together the #67MillionYouth Campaign for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.
LeadersNG, an online newspaper had reported exclusively that the #67MillionYouth initiative is a brainchild of the Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on Social Investment Programs, Ismael Ahmed.
According to the report, many of the promoters of the project were actually those that worked for President Buhari’s emergence in 2015.
“Though the organizers of the project said the 67MillionYouth Initiative is a coalition of Nigerians with the mandate to galvanize active youth participation in politics and leadership in Nigeria, our source told us in confidence that the initiative is aimed at galvanizing support for President Buhari who has lost popularity amongst the youths.
“Most of the Trustees of the initiative are active members of the All Progressives Congress with few others from other political parties which make up the list to make the initiative look non-partisan.
“One of the trustees by name, Debola Williams co-owned the RED media with Chude Jideonwo, that vigorously campaigned for the Nigerian leader to become president in 2015.
“The RED media according to LeadersNG investigation was contracted in 2014 by the then DG of Buhari’s Campaign Organization, Mr Rotimi Amaechi to help launder the image of the Nigerian leader whom many believed was a perpetual runner and unelectable leader.
“On the list of the 67millionyouth are prominent APC members and artistes who have been contracted to use their huge followership to sway young people”, the report stated.
Days before the report by LeadersNG, young Nigerians had taken to Twitter to question the credibility of the #67MillionYouth initiative, warning fellow young Nigerians to avoid the campaign as it was being used as a covert campaign tool to hoodwink unsuspecting young Nigerians to re-elect President Buhari in 2019.
FRAUD ALERT!!! Dear @DebolaLagos and @Chude, after supporting Buhari in 2015, you have now returned with this new scam to defraud unsuspecting Nigerian youths. Sorry, it will not work. We are Nigerian youths and your @67MillionYouth Campaign DOES NOT SPEAK for us! pic.twitter.com/NaGszTtpLN
— The Nigerian Wailers (@NGRWailers) July 25, 2018
FRAUD ALERT: Those who packaged Buhari as a reformed democrat and sold him to Nigerians in 2015 have come with another strategy to mobilize for Buhari2019, 67 Million Youth initiative, @67MillionYouth is a scam, I warned in 2014, I am warning again. Stay woke! pic.twitter.com/kL3iH54JUM
— Oluyemi Fasipe ???????? (@YemieFASH) July 25, 2018
SCAM ALERT:
The fraud #67millionyouth that brought calamity Buhari in our land are back again!@67MillionYouth want to sale a failed tyrant @MBuhari back to us with the packaging of #67millionyouths.
They are the real enemy of the youths!
Reject them with all in you https://t.co/cgswDnBSj1
— #ATIKUAIR #IskanAtiku #AfefeAtiku #IkukuAtiku (@AtikuAIR) July 25, 2018
You launch a youth campaign claiming to be representing 67 million Nigerian youths and the list of your influencers is populated with CORE Buhari supporters. And you are non-partisan? We are not stupid!
— Ohimai Godwin Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) July 25, 2018
About this 67 Million youth nonsense.
Don’t join a group that will rubbish your image tomorrow when you criticize their principal
— Davvydoe Jasper (@KingDavidJasper) July 25, 2018
Youth advocacy in Nigeria is racket…pure racket. 67million youth that you didn’t start in 2015, you are starting in 2018… Abeg comot make we see road
— AA+ (@WealthyAA) July 25, 2018
The same people that sold and packed this evil old man called @MBuhari, have started again. The new one on board is called @67MillionYouth initiative. Their aim is to bring back BUHARI back in 2019. @segalink @DemolaRewaju @officialKolaO @jacksonpbn pic.twitter.com/O4aDoCAlkj
— Tcee ???????? (@emmaikumeh) July 25, 2018
I’ve gone through the 67 million Nigerian youths e-flyer, didn’t see the names of people who have done more in OPPOSING Buhari’s Tyranny. People like;
Deji Adeyanju @adeyanjudeji
Segun Awosanya @segalink
Ohimai Amaize @MrFixNigeriaInstead, I’m seeing political yahoo boys. https://t.co/HJtXKfG5iQ
— Charles E Onyemakonor (@ceonigeria7) July 26, 2018
One youth said he was mobilizing 67 million youths to fight for the soul of Nigeria’s democracy.
Check his TL to see if he has condemned this attack on our democracy. He hasn’t. He was working for Buhari all along; like he did in 2015. May God continue to fish out the wolves.
— House Surgeon (@DrChiemeziem) July 24, 2018
In 2015, you scammed people by marketing a FRAUD. You have come again with same style. You couldn’t even change style.
A fraud is a fraud no matter the packaging. NEVER AGAIN pic.twitter.com/7skAcY74rL
— Adeyanju Deji ???????? (@adeyanjudeji) July 25, 2018
I wouldn’t expect any reasonable Nigerian youth to fall into the 67million Youths Campaign been orchestrated by a group of people who once blindly sold the Nation into the slavery.
Forget about the branding and media push, we already know the direction from the start.
— Olúwátósìn Akínbùlúmò (@stevetosin) July 25, 2018
First, the account is filled with fake and spammy users.
67 million Youth is an unrealistic movement less than a year before election just to sound like “got have numbers”.
We don’t need no coalition of anything, every youth should go to the poll and vote or be voted for. https://t.co/7R9GJirCS3
— Pakuma (@ThePakuma) July 25, 2018
These ones said they’re representing 67M Nigerian youths. I don’t even have anything to say.
Please, are these supporters of tyranny representing you? https://t.co/m9EYaSvTWo
— Henry Shield (@henryshield) July 25, 2018
I have not said they are all bad people o. But the core of this so-called 67million youths initiative is Buharist. Their plan is to defame all existing Politicians as corrupt old breed, and at the end of the day, pitch Buhari as ‘the Devil we know’
BEWARE! pic.twitter.com/wq5vwKShwq
— Mr Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) July 25, 2018
Checks by SIGNAL revealed that the Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on Social Investment Programs, Ismael Ahmed is not just the only official of the Buhari administration who sits on the campaign, the Personal Assistant to President Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad is also a member of the #67MillionYouth project. Rinsola Abiola, one of the youngest members of the Board of Trustees of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is listed as a member of the initiative. There are several other young leaders within the ruling APC government who are founding members and Board of Trustees members of the #67MillionYouth initiative.
In the light of unfolding developments, political observers continue to raise concerns about the pro-Muhammadu Buhari stance of the #67MillionYouth initiative, wondering whose interests President Buhari’s core supporters and aides would be representing on the purported “youth” and “non-partisan” platform.
In its report, LeadersNG said that Banky W “has been contracted by President Buhari’s administration to promote the president’s re-election bid under the guise of the 67millionYouth initiative. Her colleague Simi is alleged to have been contracted also.
“Banky W earlier this year announced the dissolution of the record label arm Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), which he co-founded with the son of former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Harold Demuren.
“The singer in an Instagram post said, EME’s business venture will now be marketing, advertising, public relations, branding, shooting of television commercials and documentaries.
“He named TV personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, OAP Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru, wife of Captain Tunde Demuren, DJ Xclusive, and Adesua Etomi as the first set of clients of the rebranded company.
“LeadersNG through a presidential source learned, the campaign organisation is in contact with many A-list artistes, many of whom are indifferent to President Buhari’s brand and have said they can’t put their careers on the line for a president who is believed to have performed below average.
“However, many of the delegates LeadersNG spoke with before filing this report said they were surprised to find their names on the list as they were not informed before putting up their names.
“Our Investigation further revealed that the sum of Two Hundred Million Naira (N200M) has been budgeted for the project to take off. The money LeadersNG learned was sourced from the NNPC through the SSA to the President on Social Investment Programs, Ismael Ahmed”.
Banky W’s rebuttal is contained in a screenshot attached to a tweet.
Here’s my response. Please make sure y’all share this the way you shared the false accusation. Smh. pic.twitter.com/L0pUSlvTBB
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) July 29, 2018
According to him, the initiative is 100 per cent free of any government influence.
However, many young Nigerians on Twitter do not seem to believe him.
Dear @BankyW,
I read your position on your involvement in the #67MillionYouth campaign and I have this submission for you considering the names on that list, and the timing.
It’s either they want to use you without you knowing or you’re just acting up.
We are watching!
— Oluyemi Fasipe ???????? (@YemieFASH) July 29, 2018
Seems you’re not aware of the names on that list, it’s a two way thing.
1. It’s either they wanna use you without you knowing or
2. You’re just playing cunning.
Peace…
— OJ-OLABISI (@mayor_bozz) July 29, 2018
Wait! Banky W actually said 67 million youths campaign is ‘neutral and 100% government free’? I need to employ the person who sold this to Banky. The salesmanship skill is top notch ????
— Temitope Ajijola ???? (@drteepie) July 29, 2018
Chai…Banky W is a fraud.
I have nothing against him hustling to pay for the jeep he said he ordered for himself and his wife.
My only grouse is that he’s trying to deny what is obvious. Does he think we’re all dumb in Naija? #67MillionYouth
— Lordbishop (@_Dewoye) July 29, 2018
Mr Banky W. That your name is coming up again as a member of the fraudulent 67million youth with the likes of omojuwa and Bashir Ahmad is an indication that y’all want sell us again. A friend to the enemy of the youth/Nigeria is our enemy. Denounce membership now b4 its too late.
— Mr. Yinkz (@yinkuzjyde) July 29, 2018
Banky W saw the names of Omojuwa, Bashir Ahmad et al and still claims they are not politically funded or not working for Buhari.
He was among other musicians who sang for Ambode in 2015 and hasn’t hidden his affiliation with APC people.
We are not morons. #67MillionYouth
— Lordbishop (@_Dewoye) July 29, 2018
Very convenient for Banky W to say this when you’re yet to call out the government of the day for the mass killings, corruptions and disobedience to court orders. The 67million youth is no go area, that format won’t sell because your cohorts are Buharists including. You
— kizito Follows Back. (@CryptoKizi) July 29, 2018
This is not a honest response to the #67millionYouth allegation because we know some of the names on that list cannot be talking about Youth participation in 2019 election when they are Buhari’s aides and are planning to reelect him in 2019.
— May Ubeku (@Maybeks) July 29, 2018
Nice treatise, Wellington
You know problem with that #67MillionYouth thing? It is peopled by same guys who collected $$$ in 2015, saw visions, spoke in tongues then sold change.
Nigerians have seen through the scam and no longer take them seriously
You are unevenly yoked, guy
— SApenja (@solomonapenja) July 29, 2018
Banky W has however further reiterated his position claiming he was not paid to be part of the campaign.
To be perfectly clear, I wasn’t paid to partake in #OccupyNigeria, much like I wasn’t paid to be part of #67MillionYouth. Both times, I just got together with other concerned young people to try and be a part of the progress we desperately need.
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) July 29, 2018
More Nigerians continue to react:
The fraudulent #67MillionYouth movement is dead on arrival. Nigerians are more politically conscious than 2015.
— Slim (@slimdaddy_04) July 29, 2018
No Nigerian artiste most join this group. #67MillionYouth Then I remembered, most of these artistes are not making waves again in the industry. #Banky
— Pabloo ???????????? (@ezcobar14) July 29, 2018
Chude and Debola can’t help but be fraudulent it seems. Just imagine. Imagine. #67MillionYouth
— Bolouere (@boluxxxx) July 29, 2018
How I wish this so called #67MillionYouth will engage the government on herdsmen killings, boko Haram more powerful, impunity, nepotism, Dapchi girls, and corruption, just to mention a few. I never expected @BankyW to tip so low and be used like a puppet. Anyway, It’s about ????
— Leonard Dugguh (@LeonardDugguh) July 29, 2018
Keep it up banky. We are wiser. We vividly recall 2015. #67MillionYouth a fraud.
You ain’t going to teach ppl how to vote!!Theres no striking balance in this. You must be working for or against. #gopublic with ur views .And if you talk sensitization? #inec is doing that bro.— A.T. Venerate (@trendyatso) July 29, 2018
Banky forget too much grammar this #67millionYouth is another plan by buhari and his cohorts to get our votes, what are the likes of @omojuwa bashir ahmed and the rest doing there? Over 80% of that list are all buhari online rats #NEVERAGAIN!!!!
— Donald (@deprincetech) July 29, 2018
Is there a N200m funding? Do you know the sponsors who provided the funds? A cursory look through list of delegates gives it away as sponsored by people who have links to Buhari. There’s nothing non-partisan about it. #67MillionYouth
— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@tksilicon) July 29, 2018
Some people joined the group ignorantly without knowing why it was created in the first place. They didn’t ask the rights questions. One of the questions should be: why now? In my view, #67MillionYouth is just to distract the youth in southern Nigeria.
— Yusuf Mohammed (@Yusufwrites) July 25, 2018
#67MillionYouth names like omojuwa and Co are here…. My brothers and sisters this is a fraud, na the same people wey give us Buhari be this, It wont work this time pic.twitter.com/0NoU0nFJiP
— chibuike (@iceman_stan) July 25, 2018
Oga forget story. The #67MillionYouth is a scam. Those involve are loyalist of the current govt. https://t.co/oRar2oNZuZ
— Kelly (@IfeanyiKelly) July 29, 2018
You do realize, now, that #OccupyNigeria was a scam?
Take a closer look at your co-travelers.
An APC board member.
Buhari’s PA.
BMC champions.
They called you to join a movement to save Nigeria & you true-true carried your gorimakpa & followed them.
Ask questions, bro. https://t.co/UFomFzMS1R
— Ose Anenih (@Papadonkee) July 29, 2018
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