- Atiku Abubakar denied viral claims that he had retired from active politics
- His media team clarified that no such national ADC meeting had taken place
- The statement alleged a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at misleading Nigerians
Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has firmly denied widespread reports claiming he has stepped away from active politics, describing the allegations as entirely false and intentionally misleading.
The rumours, which gained traction across social media platforms, suggested that Atiku had announced his retirement during a recent engagement with national stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). However, his media office has refuted the claim, insisting no such meeting or declaration ever took place.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President clarified that his only recent interaction with ADC members occurred at the state level in Adamawa last Thursday.
The statement stressed that the circulating narrative was fabricated and aimed at misleading the public. It further described the claim as part of a broader attempt by “anti-democratic elements” to create confusion and weaken the momentum of the ADC.
“We wish to state, for the record, that information circulating on social media about a purported meeting… in which the former Vice President allegedly decided to ‘step aside and retire from active politics,’ is entirely false and deliberately misleading,” the statement read.
Atiku’s team also emphasised that any decision of such magnitude would not be communicated through unofficial or anonymous channels. According to the statement, a move as significant as withdrawing from political life would be formally announced through the appropriate channels of the Atiku Media Office.
The media office went further to allege that the false report bore “all the hallmarks of a coordinated disinformation campaign” designed to mislead Nigerians and dampen political enthusiasm among supporters.
It also suggested that the narrative may have been driven by individuals unsettled by growing political opposition, although no specific parties were named.
Reaffirming Atiku’s continued political engagement, the statement urged his supporters, ADC members, and the wider Nigerian public to disregard the rumours entirely and remain focused on national development efforts.
The development highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape, where misinformation continues to play a significant role in shaping public discourse ahead of future electoral cycles.