Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected claims suggesting he was under pressure to withdraw for a southern candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing them as false and politically driven.

In a statement released by his media office on Tuesday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) referred to the alleged meeting as “phantom,” insisting he never attended any such gathering and no such talks were held.

“There was no such meeting. Atiku Abubakar was never in attendance,” the statement said. “The entire story is a malicious fabrication — pure fiction cooked up in the propaganda kitchens of the Tinubu-led APC regime.”

He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of spreading the false report in an attempt to divert attention from its failures and cause division within the opposition.

Atiku asserted that the increasing popularity of the Allied Democratic Congress (ADC), recently adopted by a coalition of opposition groups as their platform for the 2027 elections, has unsettled the ruling party.

“This is just a diversionary tactic by a faltering administration to sow discord within the opposition ranks and derail the momentum gained by the successful unveiling of the ADC as the coalition’s political vehicle,” he stated.

He affirmed that no amount of planted stories, anonymous briefings, or propaganda would weaken the opposition’s determination to take power from what he described as a “rudderless government.”

“Atiku remains committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria,” the statement continued. “We are united, focused, and determined to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of this rudderless government.”

He also urged Nigerians and the media to disregard the report, calling it a baseless fabrication lacking credibility or truth.

The statement was released amid increasing political movements ahead of the 2027 elections, as opposition leaders realign to build a united front against the APC.

Atiku, who has contested for the presidency several times, remains a key figure in the opposition and has not ruled out another run for the presidency.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that most of the kidnappings and killings in Anambra and other South-East states are carried out by Igbo criminals, not “Fulani herdsmen as widely believed”.

Soludo made this statement during a town hall meeting with Anambra indigenes in the Diaspora, held at the Metro Points Hotel in New Carrollton, Maryland, United States. He said, “99.99 per cent of kidnappers and other criminals arrested in the state since I assumed office three years ago have been Igbos.”

The governor, who has been meeting with Anambra citizens in the US since Sunday to present a detailed report of his three-year tenure, including achievements and challenges, described the belief that Fulani herdsmen are responsible as a “dangerous and misleading narrative,” stating that “it is not Fulani herdsmen, but homegrown criminal elements terrorising the South-East.”

He explained that many who claim to be “liberators” hiding in forests are actually Igbo youths involved in violent crimes for “personal enrichment.”

He said, “Let’s stop deceiving ourselves. Ask yourselves: how do these so-called liberators survive in the forests for months without local support? Who feeds them?

“In my three years and three months in office, nearly every kidnapper and armed criminal we have apprehended is Igbo. Igbos are kidnapping and killing fellow Igbos— not Fulani herdsmen. Anambra belongs to all of us. Our progress is a shared responsibility.”

He called on the Diaspora community to embrace the “think home” initiative by investing in their homeland and contributing their skills and resources.

The governor, joined by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Ezeajughi, presented an open account of his administration’s accomplishments and difficulties, highlighting improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and security.

Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Samson Itegboje, also attended the event and emphasised the importance of diaspora involvement in national development.

During an interactive session, Soludo addressed questions on governance and security, drawing applause from attendees. One participant commented, “He’s the most transparent and development-focused governor we’ve had. At least he’s telling the truth — even if it’s uncomfortable.”

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned that the struggle for the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket between former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could result in the collapse of the coalition.

He made this statement during the unveiling of his annual prophecy book titled “Warnings To The Nations (2025/2026 edition)” on July 5, 2025.

Ayodele, who had earlier predicted that ADC would become the coalition’s platform, stated that although the movement is “divine,” it may collapse due to politicians with “selfish interests.”

He said, “The ADC coalition is divine, has the capacity to pull up something great in 2027 but politicians with selfish interests can collapse it.

“I am seeing Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi having a public fallout due to the presidential ticket of the ADC before 2027.”

He also mentioned that both Obi and Amaechi could leave the coalition because of the presidential ticket.

Ayodele stated, “If Peter Obi doesn’t get the presidential ticket, he will pull out of the coalition.

“Like I said, the coalition is divine but humans can jeopardise the movement.

“They need to be careful.”