Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he promised to prioritize the Yoruba ethnic group if elected president in 2027.
The clarification came through a statement issued on Thursday by Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media adviser, who described the reports as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
Recall that on Wednesday, some online publications attributed the statement to one Kola Johnson, who claimed to be Atiku’s “media consultant.” However, Ibe made it clear that Atiku has never engaged Johnson in any capacity, stressing that the entire publication was fabricated.
“Our findings point directly to the Presidency, which in its desperation to smear opposition leaders, has resorted to hiring faceless mercenaries to fabricate fake stories and circulate unauthorized statements on Atiku,” Ibe said.
He further described the allegation that an Atiku administration would favour one ethnic group as “particularly offensive,” noting that such propaganda only fuels division among Nigerians.
According to Ibe, the only authentic communications from Atiku must come directly from the Atiku Media Office and be signed either by him or his special assistant on public communications.
The statement also urged Nigerians and the media to be vigilant, warning that the current administration is allegedly sponsoring “fabricated statements” aimed at discrediting opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
