Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting that he intends to step down for another presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku described such claims as lies that Atiku never said, suggested, or implied that he intends to step down for anyone.

The statement reads, ‘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.

‘What Atiku said was that young people, as well as other prospective presidential aspirants, are free to enter the contest. He further emphasized that if a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate without any hesitation’.

It was earlier reported that Atiku, in an interview with BBC Hausa, said he will withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if a younger aspirant defeats him to the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket.