Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he gifted Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima a brand new Toyota SUV.
The denial was issued on Thursday via a statement from Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, who described the circulating reports as entirely false.
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima — or any other individual — a brand new Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports currently circulating on social media. The story is entirely fabricated and should be completely disregarded by the public,” the statement read.
The rumours followed a widely shared video of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike confronting military personnel over land access in the Gaduwa district of Abuja. In the video, Wike questioned the legality of the military presence:
“You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody.”
Wike further stated that the officers acted without proper authority and that he had contacted the Chief of Defence Staff before visiting the site.
According to Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, military personnel had been deployed by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, after FCTA officials were instructed to stop developing land without proper title documents and approval.
The clarification from Atiku comes amid swirling misinformation on social media, emphasizing the need to verify claims before public circulation.
