Atiku’s Media Team Denies Claims He Promised to Prioritize Yoruba Interests in 2027

The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports claiming he pledged to prioritize the interests of the Yoruba ethnic group if elected president in 2027.

Several online platforms had attributed the statement to one Kola Johnson, described as Atiku’s “media consultant.”

In a rebuttal issued Thursday, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, stated that the former presidential candidate never engaged Johnson in any capacity, labeling the reports as “fabricated and misleading.”

“Our findings point directly to the Presidency, which in its desperation to smear opposition leaders, has resorted to hiring faceless mercenaries to fabricate fake stories and circulate unauthorized statements on Atiku,” Ibe said.

He condemned the suggestion that an Atiku administration would favor one ethnic group, describing it as “particularly offensive” and part of a broader disinformation campaign.

“Atiku Abubakar has never engaged one Kola Johnson as a media consultant, aide, or associate. Any statement issued in that name is fake and should be disregarded. We urge media houses that have published such falsehoods to immediately retract them,” Ibe added.

The media aide also warned journalists and the public to be cautious of propaganda and misinformation, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of sponsoring fabricated narratives to undermine opposition figures.

He emphasized that any authentic communication from the former vice president must come through the Atiku Media Office and be signed either by him or his special assistant on public communications.

Opinion Nigeria News