I Didn’t Promise To Step Down For Younger Candidate In 2027 Election – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he plans to step aside for a younger politician in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku said he would step aside from the 2027 presidential race if a younger aspirant defeats him in the contest for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.

His media aide, Paul Ibe, issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that some sections of the media misrepresented Atiku’s words from the BBC Hausa interview.

Ibe explained that Atiku never promised to withdraw from the race, but stated that if a younger aspirant competes against him in the ADC primaries and wins, he would have no problem supporting such a candidate.

He criticized what he described as “mischievous interpretations” of Atiku’s remarks, stressing that the reports suggesting he intends to bow out are inaccurate.

“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,” Ibe said.

“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.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Atiku Abubakar recently attended a meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition leaders in Abuja.