The media adviser to a former Vice President and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has addressed a viral video of Atiku making the rounds on social media.
In the video, the former vice president was heard expressing confidence about his presidential ambition.
However, in a statement released via his official X account (formerly Twitter), Ibe stated that the footage in circulation was not recent and should not be taken out of context.
“Atiku’s old video is being used for mischief,” Ibe wrote.
He clarified that the video was recorded during Atiku’s interaction with journalists in the lead-up to the PDP presidential primaries in 2023, and not a reflection of any current political decision or announcement.
“Yes, this was former Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), Atiku Abubakar, speaking to journalists ahead of the 2023 PDP presidential primary.
“He sounded confident because that is what is expected of a man who had worked hard and was optimistic of victory in the primaries of the 2023 election,” he explained.
Ibe cautioned against the deliberate spread of misinformation and emphasised the importance of placing the video in its proper context.
“It is important to provide the context of this video to deprive mischief makers of the opportunity of misrepresenting what this video is all about,” he added.
Atiku Abubakar contested the 2023 presidential election on the PDP’s platform, where he emerged second, behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite continued public interest in his political plans, no official declaration has been made by Atiku regarding the 2027 election.
