Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he plans to retire from active politics. These claims, circulating on social media, have been described by Atiku as a "coordinated disinformation campaign" orchestrated by the Federal Government of Nigeria. According to a statement issued through his media office in Abuja, Atiku stated that information about a meeting with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress, in which he allegedly decided to step aside and retire from active politics, is entirely false and deliberately misleading.
Atiku's media office clarified that the former Vice President had a meeting with ADC stakeholders in Adamawa State last Thursday, but this was not a national-level engagement. The statement emphasized that any decision as significant as exiting active politics would be formally announced by Atiku's official channels, not through rumors or third-party reports.
The statement further accused anti-democratic elements of sponsoring the narrative out of fear of the growing national consensus to rescue Nigeria from the failures of the current administration. Atiku's supporters, members of the ADC, and well-meaning Nigerians have been urged to disregard the fake news and remain focused on the collective effort to reclaim and rebuild the nation.
Atiku's denial of retirement rumors highlights the desperation of those who fear his growing influence in Nigerian politics. The coordinated disinformation campaign against him underscores the need for fact-checking and media literacy in the country. As the 2023 general elections approach, it is essential that Nigerians remain vigilant against such attempts to manipulate public opinion.
