FORMER Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has distanced himself from a controversial statement credited to a certain Kola Johnson, who claimed to be his media consultant.
The statement, widely circulated on Wednesday, alleged that Atiku had promised to prioritise Yoruba interests if elected President in 2027.
It also suggested that an Atiku administration would favour one ethnic group over others, citing his marital ties to the South-West.
But in a strongly worded rebuttal issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe made available to News Point Nigeria, Atiku described the claims as “false, offensive, and a deliberate act of propaganda aimed at ridiculing him in the media.”
Atiku insisted he has never engaged Kola Johnson in any capacity as aide, consultant, or associate.
“Let it be clear: 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,” the statement read.
The PDP chieftain accused the Presidency of sponsoring “faceless mercenaries” to concoct fake press statements in a bid to discredit opposition leaders.
“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 unauthorised statements on Atiku,” Ibe alleged.
Atiku’s media office urged journalists, editors, and media houses to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any statement attributed to him before publication.
“Editors and media gatekeepers are strongly advised to verify with the Atiku Media Office before publication,” the statement stressed.
It further clarified that only Atiku’s Media Adviser or Special Assistant on Public Communications are authorised to issue official statements on his behalf.
The controversial report had quoted Johnson as claiming that Atiku reassured South-West stakeholders of his commitment to Yoruba interests, citing his long-standing marital and cultural ties to the region.
The statement went as far as quoting Atiku allegedly describing the Yoruba people as “one of the finest species of the human race,” while emphasising his marriage to his first wife, Titi Abubakar, an Ijesha-born Yoruba woman.
It also claimed Atiku dismissed fears of Hausa/Fulani domination under his leadership, insisting that the Yoruba were his “larger extended family and in-laws.”
But Atiku has now categorically disowned the claims, branding them as pure fabrication.
For now, Atiku says he remains focused on offering credible opposition while warning Nigerians to be wary of propaganda designed to mislead the public.