Atiku clarifies 2027 stance, rules out stepping down for any candidate

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has firmly denied reports that he agreed to step down for any candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, calling them a misrepresentation of his recent interview.

The clarification came from Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, in a statement on Thursday. Ibe asserted that media reports on an interview the 2023 PDP presidential candidate granted to the BBC Hausa Service were inaccurate.

“After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview… it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone,” Ibe stated.

He explained that Atiku’s actual comments were about the openness of the democratic process. “What Atiku Abubakar clearly and unambiguously said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest,” Ibe said.

The spokesman added that Atiku pledged to support a young candidate who emerges through a competitive primary, but stressed that this should not be misconstrued as a withdrawal from the race.

Ibe concluded by condemning what he called “interpretative journalism stretched to the point of mischief,” and stated that the insinuations attributed to Atiku are “inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said.”