Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has debunked claims circulating on social media that he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer recently involved in an altercation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued on Thursday through his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, dismissed the reports as entirely false and without any factual basis. He described the story as one of the numerous fabrications aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing the image of the former vice president.
“The report suggesting that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar donated a vehicle to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima is completely untrue. At no point did the former vice president make such a gesture,” Ibe stated.
He urged members of the public to disregard the viral claim and be cautious about sharing unverified information, stressing that misinformation has become a major tool used to distract from important national issues.
The rumour had spread widely on social media platforms earlier in the week, following public attention on the confrontation between the naval officer and Minister Wike during a security operation in Abuja.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has frequently been the subject of online misinformation. His media office reiterated its commitment to promptly addressing false narratives and called on media practitioners to adhere to professional ethics by verifying stories before publication.
The statement concluded with a call for restraint and responsible reporting, noting that “falsehoods do not only harm reputations but also undermine public trust in journalism.”
