The Media Office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly denied reports that he would step down in the race to pick his party’s ticket for the 2027 Presidential race.
The viral reports anchored on an interview that the former Vice President granted the BBC Hausa Service recently.
But in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, said that after a thorough review of the tape of the interview, both in Hausa and English language, “at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone.”
Ibe said: “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.”
Below is the full text of the press statement by the Atiku Media Office:
Reports that Atiku will step down for another is false
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.
Signed:
Paul Ibe
Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar
