Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Presidency of sponsoring fake news against him through impersonators, warning Nigerians and the media to be wary of fabricated statements issued in his name.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, Atiku distanced himself from one Kola Johnson, who has been releasing press statements purportedly on his behalf.

The statement clarified that Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has never engaged Johnson in any capacity.

“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 read.

“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, Atiku’s camp rejected a claim credited to Johnson that an Atiku-led administration would be dominated by a single ethnic group, describing it as “false, malicious, and a calculated propaganda project designed to ridicule Atiku in the media.”

The statement further stressed: Atiku has never worked with Johnson in any capacity. Any statements issued under Johnson’s name are fake and should be disregarded. Media outlets that published such claims should immediately retract them.

It also cautioned Nigerians and journalists to be vigilant against “the propaganda schemes of the Tinubu administration,” warning that only statements released through the Atiku Media Office, signed by Paul Ibe or Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, are authentic.

“Editors and media gatekeepers are strongly advised to verify with the Atiku Media Office before publication,” the statement concluded.