2027: I haven’t stepped down for anyone — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has refuted claims that he has exited active politics, insisting the reports are false and aimed at misleading Nigerians and weakening the rising influence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement on Monday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku described as “entirely false and deliberately misleading” reports alleging he held a meeting with ADC stakeholders where he purportedly agreed to shelve his 2027 presidential ambition.

The statement stressed that no such meeting took place at the national level, adding that the former presidential candidate’s most recent political engagement was with party stakeholders in Adamawa State last Thursday.

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“The Waziri Adamawa has not held any meeting with ADC stakeholders at the national level in recent times. His only recent interaction was with stakeholders in Adamawa State,” the statement said.

It further noted that a decision as significant as withdrawing from politics could not be conveyed through speculation or anonymous sources, but would be formally announced through the appropriate channels.

Describing the reports as coordinated smear campaign, Atiku said they were designed to create confusion, stall momentum, and misinform the public.

He said the claims also suggested that certain vested interests, possibly linked to the government, are unsettled by the growing strength of the opposition and are attempting to derail it through disinformation.

He called on supporters and party members to ignore the rumours and stay committed to the broader objective of “reclaiming and rebuilding” the nation.