There have been photos online of MTN recharge cards bearing the picture of Governor of Lagos Stateship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Akinwunmi Ambode. But MTN, one of the leading telecommunication companies in Nigeria, has distanced itself from the recharge cards bearing the photo.
MTN has denied having any knowledge of the branding, while stating that it does not have "affilliation with any political party" as it is a "non-political and non partisan" organization.
MTN has to this effect released a statement:
As a corporate organization MTN is non-political and non-partisan. MTN Nigeria does not have any arrangement with any political party to produce specially branded recharge cards or merchandise.
We also do not have any affiliation with any political party or organization, either in Nigeria or in any of the 22 countries where MTN operates across Africa and the Middle East.
Furthermore, the company insinuated that some of its authorized partners may be behind the Ambode branded recharge cards, while adding that it would take steps to ensure that the "dealers conform to agreed trade practices".
Operators and their authorized partners are allowed to sell logical PINs to dealers and trade partners, who in turn retail them to third parties and members of the public who may also wish to/reprint them for their private/commercial use.
We will take all prudent steps to ensure that dealers conform to agreed trade practices consistent with statute and policies governing the Industry.