Dangote Group Dismisses Viral Post Claiming Aliko Dangote Endorsed Peter Obi

Dangote Industries has flagged a viral social media post that falsely attributed a pro-Peter Obi statement to billionaire Aliko Dangote. The conglomerate stamped the circulating quote as fake news and warned the public against the misleading claim.

The post, shared by an X account operating under the name Mayor of Calabar (@Uno_009), claimed Dangote had said: 'Peter Obi can bring out the fortunes of Nigeria and make people recognise us around the world. Both in Education, Health care and most especially prudence in governance.' The Dangote Group responded on its official social media platforms on Sunday, July 12, labelling the purported statement with a bold 'FAKE NEWS' stamp.

Viral Post Gained Traction Before Rebuttal

Before the conglomerate responded, the post had accumulated over 246,000 views, 3,100 retweets, and 9,500 likes. The viral post is the latest instance of a well-known public figure's identity being exploited to lend credibility to politically charged content online. By attaching Dangote's name to a comment favouring a specific political figure, the post appeared designed to sway public opinion ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, in which Obi is widely expected to feature.

Dangote Has Not Endorsed Any Candidate

Dangote, the founder and chairman of Dangote Group, has not publicly endorsed any candidate in connection with the 2027 electoral cycle. The company's swift rebuttal signals its intent to protect the billionaire's reputation from being weaponised in political discourse. Nigerians are being urged to verify claims before sharing, particularly those that invoke the names of prominent business and political figures without credible sourcing.

Peter Obi's 2027 Presidential Bid

Punch reports that Peter Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election. The former governor of Anambra State emerged as the party's flag bearer at a special national convention in Abuja after becoming the sole presidential aspirant following the close of nominations. He accepted the party's nomination and pledged to lead a government focused on national renewal, security, and economic transformation. Obi first contested Nigeria's presidency in 2023 as the Labour Party candidate, where he finished third in the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His campaign galvanised millions of supporters, especially young Nigerians, through the 'Obidient' movement, making him one of the country's most influential opposition figures.

What This Means for Nigerian Consumers and Businesses

The swift denial from Dangote Group underscores the growing risk of disinformation targeting high-profile business figures in Nigeria. For businesses and consumers, the incident is a reminder to verify politically charged claims before sharing, especially as the 2027 election cycle heats up. False endorsements can distort public perception and affect brand reputation, making it critical for companies to monitor and rebut fake news quickly.