2027 presidency: I won’t step down for anybody — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting that he intends to step down for another presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections, describing them as “false and misleading.”

In a statement signed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, Atiku said a review of his recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service showed that at no point did he indicate such an intention.

According to the clarification, Atiku only emphasized that young Nigerians and other aspirants are free to contest and that if a younger candidate emerged through a competitive primary process, he would readily support such a candidate.

“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,” the statement read.

Ibe criticized what he called “mischievous interpretations” of the interview by some sections of the media, noting that while interpretative journalism is acceptable, twisting statements beyond context is irresponsible.

“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,” Ibe added.

Atiku, Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007, has contested the presidency multiple times and remains a leading figure in opposition politics.