Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has forcefully denied social media reports claiming he met with African Democratic Congress (ADC) stakeholders and decided to step away from active politics, labeling the information as deliberate misinformation designed to undermine the party’s growing momentum.

In a statement issued Monday through his media aide Paul Ibe on the social platform X, Abubakar categorically rejected what he described as “false and deliberately misleading” reports circulating online about his political future.

“The Waziri Adamawa has not, in recent times, held any such meeting with ADC stakeholders at the national level,” the statement clarified. It noted that Abubakar’s only recent engagement was with ADC stakeholders specifically in Adamawa State last Thursday, not at the national level as alleged in the false reports.

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emphasized that any decision regarding his potential exit from politics would come through official channels, not through unverified social media posts or third-party sources.

“An issue as fundamental and consequential as exiting active politics cannot, and would never, be communicated through rumours, faceless sources, or third-party fabrication,” the statement read. “Such a decision, if ever taken, would be formally conveyed through the Atiku Media Office.”

Abubakar’s forceful denial comes amid what appears to be growing political tension in Nigeria, where the ADC has been gaining traction as an alternative political force. The party has been attracting increased attention in recent months as dissatisfaction with the current administration grows among segments of the population.

The former vice president characterized the false reports as “a coordinated disinformation campaign” specifically designed to “create confusion, dampen momentum, and mislead the Nigerian public.” He directly accused government forces of being behind the misinformation, stating that “only the government and its agents could have sponsored this desperate narrative out of fear of what is coming.”

This incident highlights the increasingly contentious political atmosphere in Nigeria, where social media has become a battleground for information and misinformation. Political analysts note that as Nigeria faces economic challenges including high inflation, fuel shortages, and security concerns, opposition parties have been gaining popularity, making them potential targets for political sabotage.

The ADC, founded in 2005, has historically been a minor party in Nigerian politics but has recently been gaining visibility as disaffection with larger established parties grows. Atiku Abubakar, who ran unsuccessfully for president in multiple elections including most recently in 2023, remains an influential figure in Nigerian politics, particularly in the northern regions.

His statement urged his supporters, ADC members, and “all well-meaning Nigerians” to disregard the fake news and “remain focused on the collective effort to reclaim and rebuild our nation,” suggesting he intends to maintain an active role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Political observers note that such misinformation campaigns are becoming increasingly common in Nigeria’s digital media space, particularly as the country approaches future election cycles. The episode underscores the challenges voters face in distinguishing credible information from politically motivated falsehoods in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.

Neither the current administration nor any government officials have responded to Abubakar’s allegations regarding the source of the misinformation as of press time.