Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially debunked widespread reports suggesting his withdrawal from active politics, labelling such claims as the handiwork of mischief-makers. In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 elections clarified that he remains fully committed to his political career and the pursuit of democratic ideals in Nigeria.
The clarification follows viral social media reports and blog posts alleging that the veteran politician had "stepped aside" following a purported meeting with the leadership of the African Democratic Congress. However, his media adviser, Paul Ibe, dismissed these narratives as "entirely false and deliberately misleading" in a press release shared on X. Ibe emphasised that there was no such meeting and that the reports were designed to cause confusion among Atiku’s supporters and the general public.
According to the official statement, the rumours are viewed as a calculated attempt by anti-democratic elements to dampen the momentum of Atiku's ongoing political engagements. The spokesman noted that the former Vice President’s dedication to the service of the country remains unshaken despite the electoral challenges of the past. He urged Nigerians to disregard any information regarding his political future that does not emanate from his official communication channels.
"It is pertinent to state that Atiku Abubakar has not stepped down, nor has he retired from politics," Ibe stated. He further noted that the former Vice President remains a pivotal figure in the opposition’s efforts to provide a credible alternative to the current administration. The statement suggests that Atiku is currently focused on strengthening his political base and consulting with stakeholders across the country to address national concerns.
The media office concluded by reaffirming that Atiku will continue to speak out on national issues and participate in the democratic process as he has done for decades.