In the poster, the MP claimed that an opinion poll indicated Raila was leading early with 80 percent, followed by Mohamoud Ali of Djibouti at 8 percent.
“Raila Odinga takes the early lead! The AUC CHAIRMANSHIP seat is ours to keep! ” read the caption of the poster shared by the MP on X on Thursday.
The poster also claimed that Richard Randrimandrato received 2 percent of the votes, with 10 percent still undecided. The poster was shared widely on social media and gained significant attention.
However, Amani Africa, on Friday, 12 December, refuted the poster, stating they had not conducted any such poll. They condemned the MP for being irresponsible, labeling his actions as malicious and criminal.
“This is absolutely irresponsible. The use of an organization that never conducted a poll is disinformation, misinformation, and maliciously criminal,” read Amani Africa’s post on X.
The organization has demanded that the MP immediately remove its logo from the poster.
“Amani Africa completely rejects this act and calls for the immediate removal of its logo,” the post continued.
The misleading information from the MP emerges as Africa anticipates the three candidates participating in a debate titled Mjadala Afrika, scheduled for Friday, December 13 at 7 p. m.
Raila Odinga is Kenya’s candidate for the highly contested position and will compete against Mahmoud Ali of Djibouti and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard Randriamandrato.
The debate is set to be a significant event leading up to the election of the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The position will become vacant in February 2025 as Moussa Faki Mahamat’s term concludes.
