Former Minister of State for Science and Technology and Abia State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, has dismissed reports suggesting that vehicles recently distributed to coordinators of the group were intended for political campaigning ahead of future elections.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, Ikoh said the publications circulating in some national dailies were “false, misleading and politically motivated,” insisting that the vehicles were provided strictly for grassroots sensitisation on federal government empowerment programmes.

“I read with total dismay the misleading reports claiming that the vehicles were meant for campaign activities,” Ikoh said. “That publication was not only false but malicious. These vehicles were given to us with clear instructions: to sensitise Nigerians on the empowerment initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”

Ikoh, who was present at the inauguration of the zonal, state and FCT coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, said the group’s mandate is rooted in a November 2025 press release from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

“The release clearly stated that our responsibility is to promote awareness of government programmes—not to campaign,” he said. “If critics had taken the time to verify, they would have seen that our job is to disseminate information on federal opportunities available to citizens.”

He noted that many Nigerians, particularly those in rural communities, remain unaware of various empowerment and youth-development initiatives. Ikoh argued that the vehicles were necessary to reach remote areas where information gaps are widest.

“Our task is to take these programmes to the grassroots. Ignorance deprives people of life-changing opportunities,” he added.

Responding to opposition criticism, Ikoh cautioned political actors against what he described as “unverified claims” capable of misinforming the public. “Criticism is healthy for democracy, but when it becomes rooted in falsehood, it loses value,” he said.

Ikoh reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors will continue to sensitise communities on federal government initiatives across youth skills development, entrepreneurship, business funding, and empowerment.

“President Tinubu means well for Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion,” he maintained. “Our duty is simply to ensure people know about programmes that can improve their lives.”