The media team of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dissociated itself from a press release signed on Atiku’s behalf by a self-styled media consultant Kola Johnson.
In the fake statement released on Wednesday, Atiku was quoted as saying that the Yoruba people’s interests would be central to his presidency if elected in 2027.
However, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, said in a statement on Thursday titled “Presidency engaged in high-level propaganda, disinformation against Atiku” that Atiku never engaged Mr Johnson as a media consultant, aide nor associate.
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The statement accused the Presidency of being responsible for spreading 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,” the statement said.
“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 unauthorized 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.”
