Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has denied saying he wants to step down for a younger person ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Vice President Atiku has before now indicated interest to contest the Presidential election in 2027.

Atiku had left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he contested the Presidency during the last election.

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In August, Atiku Abubakar and other opposition politicians, including former Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Peter Obi (Anambra), among others, adopted African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform to use to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, Atiku said, “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.

“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.”

According to him, 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.”