by Kolapo Olapoju

Former Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Tony Blair, has confirmed holding a private meeting with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari(retd) in London, over the weekend.

Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, had alleged that Buhari, had gone to a London hospital for medical check-up, while stating that the photos of the meeting with Tony Blair, were photo-shopped.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose had said: “Without doubt, it is obvious that these cabal in the APC are trying so hard to deceive Nigerians on Buhari’s health status. That’s the reason they have been using ‘Photoshopped’ pictures to defend their lies on Buhari’s UK trip.”‪

“First, they used a March 5, 2013 picture, claiming that Buhari was taking a walk in London on Thursday. Later they came up with another poorly cropped picture of Buhari with former British Prime Minister,Tony Blair,” he had added.

However, Vanguard newspaper reached out to Tony Blair’s office and received confirmation that the former Prime Minister did indeed have a meeting with the APC candidate.

The Senior Media Manager atthe office of the former Prome Minister, Rianne Buter, said in an e-mail: “Mr. Blair had a private meeting with General Muhammadu Buhari in London. Mr Blair hopes to visit Nigeria shortly when he will see the President.”