Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting he plans to step down from the 2027 presidential race.
In a statement released by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku described the reports as a misrepresentation of his recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service.
“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,” the statement read.
According to Ibe, a review of the video and transcripts, both in Hausa and English, shows that Atiku never said or implied he would step aside for another aspirant.
“What Atiku Abubakar clearly and unambiguously said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest,” the statement explained.
The former Vice President reportedly emphasized that if a younger candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would support such a candidate.
Atiku’s camp warned against what it called “stretching interpretation to the point of mischief,” stressing that claims he would withdraw from the race are false.
