By Ayo Ayodele
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he intends to step down for another presidential aspirant, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 2, 2025, by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku clarified that his comments during a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service were misrepresented by some sections of the media.
According to the statement, a thorough review of both the video and transcript of the interview — in Hausa and English — shows that at no point did Atiku state, suggest, or imply that he plans to withdraw his political ambition 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,” the statement read. “He further stressed that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate without hesitation.”
The statement criticized what it described as “interpretative journalism stretched to the point of mischief,” insisting that such misrepresentations 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,” Ibe stated.
Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, has been a recurring presidential contender and remains a prominent figure in the nation’s political landscape.