2027: "I didn't Say I will Step Down for Anyone," Atiku Faults Report

Contrary to media reports, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will not step down for anyone in the contest for the 2027 presidential ticket of the opposition coalition’s African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Paul Ibe, the media adviser to Atiku said this while dismissing report that went viral on Thursday morning that the former Vice President indicated in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service that he was ready to step down his presidential ambition for younger aspirants.

But Ibe, in a statement released after the report went viral said a through review of the report will indicate that “at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone.”

Rather, he said the former Vice President only affirmed that he will be ready to support a younger aspirant if he or she emerges through the primary of the party.

“It has become necessary to clarify certain misrepresentations arising from the reportage of an interview granted by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, to the BBC Hausa Service by some sections of the media.

“After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview – in the original Hausa and the English translation – 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.

“What Atiku Abubakar clearly and unambiguously said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest. He further stressed that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate without any hesitation.

“While interpretative journalism is a legitimate aspect of reporting, stretching interpretation to the point of mischief is unacceptable and must not be encouraged.

“For the records, therefore, the insinuations attributed to the Waziri Adamawa from his interview are inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said.

The former Vice President contested in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but lost the election to Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Aside Atiku, others that have signified interest in the presidential ticket of ADC include Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party who is also a former governor of Anambra State.

Also, former minister Rotimi Amaechi has also indicated interest in contesting for the ticket.

PMNews