Garba Mohammed
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports suggesting that he plans to step down for another presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku described the claims as a misrepresentation of his recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service.
Ibe explained that a careful review of both the video and transcripts of the interview revealed that the former Vice President never said, suggested, or implied that he would step down for anyone.
“After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview – in the original Hausa and the English translation – it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone,” the statement read.
According to him, what Atiku “clearly and unambiguously” said was that young people and other aspirants are free to enter the race. He added that if a young candidate were to emerge victorious in a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate.
Atiku also stressed that his party prioritises youth and women participation, noting that he would not hesitate to mentor and back a younger flagbearer if defeated.
The statement, however, criticised what it described as “stretching interpretation to the point of mischief,” insisting that the insinuations attributed to Atiku from the BBC interview were inaccurate.
Earlier reports had quoted Atiku as saying that he would withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if defeated by a younger aspirant within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).