Fact-Check: Viral Claim That Atiku Ditches 2027 Presidential Bid for Senate Is False

CLAIM: Atiku Abubakar has stepped down from his presidential bid and settled for a senatorial ticket.

VERDICT: False. Atiku Abubakar is still in the presidential race.

FULL STORY

A viral screenshot circulating on X (formerly Twitter) claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has withdrawn from the 2027 presidential race and is now seeking a senatorial ticket. The post has sparked online reactions, with some users treating it as proof that he has ended his presidential bid. However, findings show the claim is false.

The screenshot widely shared across social media platforms alleges that Atiku has abandoned his presidential ambition and decided to contest for a seat in the Senate instead. Some versions of the post also suggest that the decision was linked to internal political arrangements within the opposition coalition.

On the 9th of May 2026, X user @Ugo_009 posted the vice president’s photo with the caption “BREAKING: Atiku abandons 2027 presidential ambition, now lobbies for Adamawa South Senatorial ticket”. The post has attracted over 100k views, more than 1500 likes and 124 reposts.

Because the claim appears in screenshot form and is framed like a news report, many users have shared it without verification.

A screenshot of the X post

Checks across credible media reports and statements from Atiku’s media office show that there is no evidence the former vice president has stepped down from the presidential race or declared interest in a senatorial position.

In fact, Atiku’s camp has repeatedly denied similar claims in recent months. In March 2026, his media office described reports that he had stepped aside from presidential politics as a “coordinated disinformation campaign”.

The statement clarified that he had not withdrawn from the presidential race. There is also no verified report from credible Nigerian media organisations stating that he is seeking a senatorial ticket.

In a telephone conversation with Paul Ibe, the media aide to Atiku, he said that the report is either from an ignorant person or it’s just out of mischief.

“This is fake news and mischief. There’s a difference between His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and his son, Adamu Atiku Abubakar.” Multiple media reports also show that the African Democratic Party has confirmed receipt of Atiku’s nomination fees payment of ₦90 million.

Further findings from a Google keyword search revealed that Adamu Atiku Abubakar, a Nigerian politician and the first son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as of May 2026, has transitioned from his role as Adamawa State Commissioner for Works and Energy Development to pursuing a seat in the 2027 Adamawa South Senatorial District election under the African Democratic Congress.

Why the Claim Spreads

The misinformation appears to build on ongoing speculation surrounding the opposition coalition and discussions about who may eventually emerge as a presidential candidate for 2027, including the similarity in the names of both father and son.

Lately, Atiku has remained at the centre of debates about opposition unity, zoning arrangements, and pressure from some groups for younger or southern candidates

This political uncertainty has created room for false narratives to spread easily online.

The viral screenshot also reflects a broader trend in political misinformation, where fabricated graphics and manipulated screenshots are designed to look like authentic news reports. Because many users encounter these posts outside their original context, they are often mistaken for verified information.

False political claims can influence public perception, especially in the early stages of electoral conversations. Even when eventually debunked, misleading reports can create confusion among supporters, fuel unnecessary political tension and distort public understanding of political developments

In an environment where social media moves faster than verification, screenshots and edited graphics can easily become tools for spreading falsehood.

Conclusion

The claim that Atiku Abubakar has abandoned his presidential ambition to run for the Senate is false. The senatorial aspirant is his son, Adamu Atiku Abubakar. As political debate over the 2027 elections grows, false claims are likely to spread more often. This case highlights the need to treat viral screenshots and social media posts with caution and to rely on credible reports and official statements for verification.

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