2027: Atiku Denies Reports, Says He Is Stepping Down For Nobody

By Adesina Soyooye

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rubbished the report which quoted him as saying he would step down for a younger more vibrant Presidential Candidate in 2027.

Atiku, who has ran for the Presidential seat three times in vain said he was misquoted by Media Reports which claimed he would step down for some other person in 2027. Perish the thought, the former Vice President who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under which he ran for the lPresidency in 2023 said.

The report had said Atiku, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, said he would step down for a younger candidate who had certain qualities.

However, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, Atiku clarified what he said in the BBC Hausa Service interview.

In the statement, Ibe said:

“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.

“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.

“What Atiku Abubakar clearly and unambiguously said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest.

“He further stressed that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate without any 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 records, therefore, the insinuations attributed to the Waziri Adamawa from his BBC Hausa interview are inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said.”