FORMER Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has distanced himself from a statement circulating in his name, describing it as false and malicious.
The statement, credited to one Kola Johnson who claimed to be his media consultant, alleged that Atiku had promised to prioritise Yoruba interests if elected president in 2027.
But in a rebuttal issued today by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said he has no ties with Johnson and dismissed the publication as “fabricated propaganda” aimed at discrediting him.
“Our findings point directly to the Presidency which, in desperation to smear opposition leaders, is resorting to hiring faceless mercenaries to push fake stories,” the statement read.
It further described the claims as “false and offensive,” stressing that Atiku has never engaged Johnson as a media consultant, aide, or associate.
The clarification followed reports yesterday that quoted Johnson as saying Atiku’s Yoruba connections — including his marriage to his first wife, Titi, in the 1970s — would shape his leadership style.
The report claimed Atiku had referred to the Yoruba as his extended family, citing his in-laws, friends, and cultural ties.
Atiku, however, urged media organisations to disregard the statement and verify any future information with his authorised media team.
He also called on outlets that had published the story to issue immediate retractions.
“All official communications on the former Vice President will continue to come only through my office or his Special Assistant on Public Communications,” Ibe stated, while advising editors to be more vigilant against disinformation.