Atiku Abubakar clarifies BBC Hausa interview, denies stepping down for any candidate ahead of 2027 elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he intends to step aside for another candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing such reports as “inaccurate and misleading.”
In a statement released Thursday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku clarified that his recent BBC Hausa interview was misrepresented by some sections of the media.
“After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview, in Hausa and English, it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone,” Ibe said.
Atiku, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressed that what he actually said was that young Nigerians and other aspirants are free to contest. According to him, if a young candidate emerges from a credible and competitive primary, he would fully support such a person.
Ibe faulted the media for what he called “stretching interpretation to the point of mischief,” urging journalists to uphold professionalism and accuracy in reporting.
The former Vice President has been a recurring figure in Nigeria’s democratic journey. He served as Vice President between 1999 and 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and contested for the presidency on the PDP platform in 2019 and 2023, losing to Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu respectively.
Atiku resigned from the PDP in July, citing irreconcilable differences and accusing the party of abandoning its founding principles. His defection to the ADC has since fueled speculation about opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 polls.
As political alignments continue to shift, Atiku’s clarification underscores a broader concern: the role of accurate reporting in shaping Nigeria’s democratic discourse and the need to protect public debate from misinformation.
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