Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly denied claims that he agreed to step down for any aspirant ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that reports suggesting so were the product of mischief and misrepresentation.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku faulted the interpretation given to his recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service, where he was reported to have hinted at stepping aside for a younger candidate.
“It has become necessary to clarify certain misrepresentations arising from the reportage of an interview granted by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, to the BBC Hausa Service by some sections of the media,” Ibe said.
“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.”
Ibe explained that what Atiku said in the interview was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, were free to contest. According to him, the former Vice President also made it clear that if a young candidate emerged through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate without hesitation.
“While interpretative journalism is a legitimate aspect of reporting, stretching interpretation to the point of mischief is unacceptable and must not be encouraged.
“For the record, therefore, the insinuations attributed to Waziri Adamawa from his BBC Hausa interview are inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said,” Ibe stressed.
The clarification comes days after reports circulated that Atiku had signalled a willingness to bow out of the race in favour of a younger contender.
The news sparked reactions within opposition circles, especially as Atiku is regarded as a major figure in the push to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in both 2019 and 2023, formally resigned from the party in July, citing irreconcilable differences and accusing the PDP of straying from its founding principles.
He subsequently pitched his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has been positioning itself as a new rallying point for opposition heavyweights, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and other prominent politicians, ahead of the next general elections.
His defection to the ADC marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape, given his stature as a two-time presidential flag bearer of the PDP and a former Vice President who served under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007.
However, Atiku’s presidential bids have so far ended in defeat — losing to Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and to incumbent President Bola Tinubu in 2023. But with his latest move to the ADC, he has positioned himself once again as a central figure in the unfolding political battle for 2027.
