Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has publicly denied a viral quote attributed to her, in which she allegedly praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the team’s recent visit to Aso Rock.
Okoronkwo, who made a strong impact at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) by scoring twice and providing six assists in six matches, has firmly distanced herself from the statement that has been circulating online.
The quote, initially shared by a verified Instagram account, @renewedhope2027, appeared to depict Okoronkwo offering high praise for President Tinubu after the Super Falcons were hosted at a presidential reception. It read:
“I was absolutely surprised by the way the President welcomed, honoured, and celebrated us. As you already know, I’m Igbo, and because of the 2023 elections, there’s a way people portrayed the President as a bad person, calling him all sorts of names. I had that mentality too. But after meeting him yesterday, I saw a completely different person—caring, kind, with a great sense of humour. He is nothing like what they say. If you meet him, you’ll definitely fall in love with him. May the President succeed.”
The post was widely shared, with the page captioning it: “Super Falcons star ESTHER OKORONKWO expresses her joy after meeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Aso Rock yesterday.”
However, the football star took to her personal Snapchat to debunk the claim, posting a screenshot of the circulating quote along with a short but clear caption:
“Abeg, when did I talk this one?”
She also added a “SMH” (shaking my head) emoji, signaling disbelief and frustration.
The denial has sparked discussions about misinformation and the use of celebrities’ names and images to promote political narratives without their consent.
As of now, neither the Instagram account responsible for the original post nor any officials from the presidency have responded to Okoronkwo’s rebuttal.
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