By Ọgbẹni Olawale Dawodu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has firmly denied reports suggesting he has stepped away from politics, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement released on Monday, the Atiku Media Office dismissed social media reports alleging that he announced his retirement during a meeting with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The media team clarified that no such meeting took place at the national level, adding that his only recent engagement with the party was with ADC stakeholders in Adamawa State last Thursday.
“An issue as fundamental and consequential as exiting active politics cannot, and would never, be communicated through rumours, faceless sources, or third-party fabrication,” the statement read.
“Such a decision, if ever taken, would be formally conveyed through the Atiku Media Office.”
The statement further described the circulating claims as part of a coordinated effort to misinform the public.
“This latest falsehood bears all the hallmarks of a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to create confusion, dampen momentum, and mislead the Nigerian public,” the media office said.
The team also suggested political motives behind the rumours, alleging that the narrative may have been sponsored by elements within the government.
“Only the government and its agents could have sponsored this desperate narrative out of fear of what is coming,” the statement added.
It concluded by urging supporters and Nigerians at large to ignore the reports and stay focused on national progress.
“We therefore urge supporters of Atiku Abubakar, members of the ADC, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard this fake news in its entirety and remain focused on the collective effort to reclaim and rebuild Nigeria,” the statement said.
