Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports that he has retired from active politics, saying the claim is false.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide Paul Ibe, ex-VP Atiku said rumours circulating on social media about a meeting with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he allegedly decided to step aside, did not happen.
The statement said Atiku has not held any recent meeting with ADC stakeholders at the national level. It added that his only recent engagement was with party members in Adamawa State last Thursday.
It read, “The Waziri Adamawa has not in recent times held any such meeting with ADC stakeholders at the national level. The only recent engagement he had was with stakeholders of the ADC 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. Such a decision, if ever taken, would be formally conveyed through the Atiku Media Office.”
The statement said the claim is part of a plan to mislead the public and create confusion.
“This latest falsehood bears all the hallmarks of a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to create confusion, dampen momentum, and mislead the Nigerian public,” it said.
The media office also alleged that the narrative may have been sponsored by government agents and linked it to reactions to an opposition movement.
It added, “We state without equivocation that this mischief is being driven by anti-democratic elements who are deeply unsettled by the growing national consensus to rescue Nigeria from the failures of the current administration.”
The media office asked supporters, members of the ADC and Nigerians to ignore the reports.
“We therefore urge supporters of Atiku Abubakar, members of the ADC, and all Nigerians to disregard this claim and remain focused on the collective effort to reclaim and rebuild our nation,” the statement said.
