Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over a suspicious payment into one of his private bank accounts, alleging that his confidential banking details may have been compromised.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
According to the statement, the transaction was made by an individual unknown to the former vice president, with the description: “Contribution Electioneering Campaign.”
“Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorised, or has any knowledge of the individual or entity behind the unauthorised payment,” the statement said.
Atiku described the circumstances surrounding the transaction as “deeply troubling,” noting that the account was a private account whose details were not publicly available.
“The account is a strictly private one whose details are not in the public domain. This raises a fundamental question: How did unknown persons obtain the confidential banking details of a private citizen?” the statement added.
The former vice president said the alleged access to his banking information raised wider concerns about the protection of Nigerians’ financial privacy.
“If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown, then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe,” Atiku was quoted as saying.
He further expressed concern that the information may have been obtained through individuals with privileged access.
“Even more disturbing is the suspicion that such confidential information may have been obtained through persons with privileged access,” the statement said.
Atiku warned that any breach of confidential banking information could expose citizens to serious security risks, including threats from criminal elements.
“If established, this would amount to a grave abuse of power capable of exposing the account holder to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters, and other criminal elements,” the statement added.
The ADC presidential candidate said security agencies and Nigerians had been informed of the incident, describing it as part of what he called a series of suspicious developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We therefore put the Nigerian public — and the security agencies — on notice about this latest incident in a litany of suspicious activities leading up to next year’s general elections,” he said.
Atiku also urged Nigerians not to be distracted by what he described as attempts to damage his reputation as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
“As political activities gather momentum, Nigerians should not be distracted by these tired tactics that smack of character assassination,” the statement read.
“Such desperate antics have failed before and will fail again,” he added.
The former vice president reiterated his commitment to what he described as providing credible leadership and practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
