Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Presidency of orchestrating a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing his image.
In a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate alleged that “faceless mercenaries” have been hired to fabricate and circulate false statements in his name.
Atiku specifically disowned one Kola Johnson, who has been releasing statements purportedly on his behalf. He clarified that Johnson has never served as his aide, consultant, or associate.
According to Atiku, Johnson has issued press materials falsely attributed to him, including claims suggesting that an Atiku-led administration would promote the interests of a single ethnic group. He described such reports as deliberate disinformation designed to discredit him in the public space.
The former vice president urged media organizations that had published any of the fabricated statements to retract them immediately. He also warned Nigerians, particularly journalists, to exercise caution and verify information before dissemination.
“Atiku Media Office remains the only authentic channel for information from me. Any statement not signed by my media adviser or the Special Assistant on Public Communications should be disregarded,” the statement read in part.
Atiku further accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of resorting to propaganda, stressing that attempts to malign him through fake press releases would not succeed.