2027 presidential race: I wont step down for anybody, Atiku declares

By Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that he has no plan of stepping down for anybody in the race towards the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku gave this clarification on Thursday in Abuja in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Paul Ibe.

The former Vice President, who is now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, pointed out that there was nothing, in the interview he granted to the BBC Hausa Service recently, that

expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone.

The statement clarified that what

Atiku clearly and unambiguously said in the interview was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest.

The statement by Ibe reads, “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 BBC Hausa interview are inaccurate and do not reflect what he actually said”, the statement concluded.

END