Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied claims that he has agreed to step aside for any candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

His spokesman, Paul Ibe, clarified the matter in a statement on Thursday, insisting that the interview the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate granted in Hausa had been misrepresented.

“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,” Ibe said.

“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.”

He stressed that Atiku had only encouraged young Nigerians and other aspirants to enter the race.

“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 hesitation,” the statement explained.

Ibe warned that while interpretative journalism has its place, “stretching interpretation to the point of mischief is unacceptable and must not be encouraged.”

Atiku, who will run on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was adopted by several opposition heavyweights as their rallying point against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In July, Atiku formally resigned from the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences. He argued that the party had deviated from its founding principles.

Atiku previously served as Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007 on the PDP platform. He also contested for the presidency on two occasions under the PDP – in 2019 and 2023 – but lost to Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent President Bola Tinubu respectively.