•Atiku and Tinubu
Former vice president and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has disowned one Kola Johnson, who yesterday issued a press statement purportedly on behalf of him (Atiku).
In the said press statement, Kola Johnson who presented himself as Atiku’s media consultant, had stated that the former vice president has assured the Yoruba that their interests would be central to his presidency if elected in 2027.
“I count myself extremely lucky indeed to have had a wife from amongst this noble species of the human race, which by this token implies that the bond uniting me together with the Yoruba is aptly like the genetic bond of a family.
“This is why the Yoruba, whether individually or collectively, have always occupied a special place in my heart.”
Continuing the statement yesterday said, “It is also for this reason that the interest of the Yorubas will always occupy a topmost place in my policy making and governance if by the special Grace of Allah, I am lucky to be president in 2027.
“Therefore, the fear that my ascension to presidency might lead to Hausa/Fulani domination over Yorubas or other ethnic groups does not only arise, but also is absolutely unfounded because the entire Yoruba stock is my larger extended family and in-laws.”
But in a statement today made available to The Frontier, Atiku through his media aide, Paul Ibe, disowned the said Kola Johnson, referring to him as fake.
The former vice president rather pointed an accusing finger at the presidency, claiming that the disinformation is part of a calculated propaganda project designed to ridicule him in the media.
“Our findings point directly to the Presidency, which in its desperation to smear opposition leaders, has resorted to hiring faceless mercenaries to fabricate fake stories and circulate unauthorised statements on Atiku.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
PRESS RELEASE
Presidency engaged in high-level propaganda, disinformation against Atiku
We have observed with concern a certain self-styled “media consultant,” one Kola Johnson, issuing press releases in the name of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Our findings point directly to the Presidency, which in its desperation to smear opposition leaders, has resorted to hiring faceless mercenaries to fabricate fake stories and circulate unauthorised statements on Atiku.
Particularly offensive is the false claim attributed to this individual that an Atiku administration would be dominated by a single ethnic group. This disinformation is part of a calculated propaganda project designed to ridicule Atiku in the media.
Let it be clear: Atiku Abubakar has never engaged one Kola Johnson as a media consultant, aide, or associate. Any statement issued in that name is fake and should be disregarded. We urge media houses that have published such falsehoods to immediately retract them.
We caution Nigerians, especially the media, to remain vigilant against the propaganda schemes of the Tinubu administration, which now include circulating fabricated statements through compromised journalists.
For the record, authentic information from Atiku Abubakar is only released through the Atiku Media Office, signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, or the Special Assistant on Public Communications. Editors and media gatekeepers are strongly advised to verify with the AMO before publication.
Signed:
Paul Ibe
Atiku Media Office
Abuja
25 September, 2025.
