A former Senator from Kaduna, Shehu Sani, has reacted to claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would step aside for a younger presidential candidate in 2027.
The reports, which circulated widely on social media and some news platforms, suggested that Atiku had promised to step down for a younger candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Reacting to the claims, Shehu Sani took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to mock the interpretation. He wrote:
“His Excellency the Waziri reportedly said he would step aside if a younger candidate wins the primaries…The key word here is PRIMARIES…it’s easier for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle than to beat the Waziri in primaries. Party delegates are a special breed of people.”
Atiku’s camp denies reports
Meanwhile, Atiku has officially denied the reports, describing them as false and misleading.
In a statement signed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President clarified that his words during an interview with BBC Hausa were misrepresented.
The statement read in part: “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 said was that young people, as well as other aspirants, are free to contest. He further stressed that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate.”
“Mischief interpretation is unacceptable”
The statement further warned against twisting Atiku’s words, stressing that mischief interpretation 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 added.
Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, has contested for the presidency several times and remains one of the most prominent figures in the opposition party.