Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting he would step aside for any candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

The clarification came in a statement on Thursday in Abuja from his media aide, Paul Ibe, following Atiku’s interview with BBC Hausa Service. The statement said sections of the media had misrepresented his remarks, wrongly implying that he was willing to step down.

“After a careful review of both the video and transcript of the interview – in Hausa and English – it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President say, suggest, or imply that he intends to step down for anyone,” the statement said.

It added that Atiku had made it clear that young aspirants and other prospective candidates are free to participate in the contest. “He further stressed that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would support such a candidate without hesitation,” the statement said.

The press release also condemned distortions in reporting, noting that while interpretative journalism is legitimate, misrepresentation for sensationalism is unacceptable.