Paul Ibe, the media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that his principal’s resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was deliberately leaked by political actors seeking to undermine him.
The letter, which surfaced online on Wednesday, quickly gained widespread attention shortly after Atiku paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
Speaking during an appearance on News Night, a programme on Arise Television, Ibe claimed the leak was orchestrated by individuals within the PDP who are antagonistic towards Atiku, in collaboration with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Ibe, the timing of the leak — coming just a day after the funeral of the former president — was calculated to stir public controversy and distract from more pressing national issues.
“People who never wished His Excellency Atiku Abubakar well leaked a communication of his,” Ibe said. “It’s unfortunate that the minister of aviation, who should be concerned with aviation matters and plenty of them — runways and better infrastructure — would jump into the fray.”
He further criticised the rush to conclusions by certain government officials, saying, “It is like knowing what caused an accident even before the investigation.”
Describing those behind the leak as “rogue elements,” Ibe stated, “Rogue elements in the PDP, working in cahoots with APC members, leaked that communication, which is why we are having this conversation.”
