Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has categorically denied claims that he was asked to step down in favor of a southern presidential candidate for the 2027 Nigerian presidential election.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Atiku described the reports as “a malicious fabrication” and “propaganda” allegedly engineered by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He emphasized that he was not present at any meeting where such a request was made, dismissing the narrative as pure fiction.
Atiku stated, “There was no such meeting. Atiku Abubakar was never in attendance. The entire story is a malicious fabrication, pure fiction cooked up in the propaganda kitchens of the Tinubu-led APC regime.”
He further accused the APC of using this false story as a diversionary tactic aimed at creating discord within the opposition and undermining the momentum of the recently unveiled African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The statement continued: “This is nothing but a diversionary tactic, an attempt by a faltering administration to sow discord within the opposition and derail the momentum gained by the successful unveiling of the ADC.”
Atiku also reminded the ruling party that Nigerians have already embraced the ADC as the most credible and viable opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections. He pointed out that the growing nationwide support for the ADC signals the declining influence of the Tinubu administration.
“The massive and growing support the ADC continues to enjoy across the country is a clear signal that the Tinubu administration is living on borrowed time,” the statement concluded.
This denial comes amid increasing political maneuvering as parties and candidates position themselves for the upcoming 2027 presidential election in Nigeria.
