Atiku has accused the Presidency of orchestrating a disinformation campaign aimed at smearing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, warning Nigerians and media organisations to be cautious of false statements circulating in his name.
In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, he alleged that the Presidency had resorted to hiring “faceless mercenaries” to fabricate stories and release unauthorised press statements under Atiku’s name.
“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,” the statement said.
It described as “particularly offensive” a false claim suggesting that an Atiku administration would be dominated by a single ethnic group, calling it part of a calculated propaganda project “designed to ridicule Atiku in the media.”
The office stressed that Atiku had no ties to the alleged consultant. “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,” it said.
It further called on news outlets that had published such claims to correct the record. “We urge media houses that have published such falsehoods to immediately retract them,” the statement noted.
Atiku also accused the Tinubu administration of compromising journalists to spread propaganda.
“We caution Nigerians, especially the media, to remain vigilant against the propaganda schemes of the Tinubu administration, which now include circulating fabricated statements through compromised journalists,” the statement read.
Reiterating how genuine information is disseminated, the office clarified that authentic communication from Atiku comes only through the Atiku Media Office and is signed either by Paul Ibe, Media Adviser, or AbdulRasheed Shehu, Special Assistant on Public Communications.
“Editors and media gatekeepers are strongly advised to verify with the AMO before publication,” it concluded.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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