Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern regarding a questionable credit transaction into one of his private bank accounts, suspecting that his confidential banking information may have been compromised.
Atiku, currently the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, revealed this issue in a Friday statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The statement mentioned that the transfer was made by an individual unknown to Atiku, and labeled as “Contribution Electioneering Campaign.”
“Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorized, or is aware of the individual or entity behind the unauthorized payment,” the statement noted.
It highlighted that the circumstances surrounding this transaction are “deeply troubling” because the account is strictly private and its details have not been made public.
“This account is strictly private, with no details available in the public domain, raising significant concerns about how someone obtained the confidential banking details of a private citizen,” it added.
Atiku indicated that access to his banking information poses broader issues about the protection of Nigerians’ financial privacy.
“If a former Vice President’s and leading presidential candidate’s private banking information can be accessed and used for unknown purposes, then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe,” the statement quoted him as saying.
He also expressed concern that the information might have been acquired through individuals with privileged access.
“Even more concerning is the suspicion that such confidential information could have been accessed through individuals with privileged access,” the statement said.
Atiku warned that breaches of confidential banking information could expose citizens to security risks.
“If proven, this would represent a severe abuse of power, potentially exposing the account holder to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters, and other criminal elements,” the statement added.
The ADC presidential candidate stated that security agencies and Nigerians have been informed of this situation, describing it as part of a series of suspicious activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have alerted the Nigerian public and security agencies to this latest incident among several suspicious activities leading up to next year’s general elections,” he said.
“As political activities gain momentum, Nigerians should not be distracted by these outdated tactics that seem like character assassination attempts,” the statement read.
“These desperate tactics have failed before and will fail again,” he added.
The former Vice President affirmed his commitment to providing what he describes as credible leadership and practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
“The Waziri Adamawa remains dedicated to offering Nigerians credible leadership and practical solutions to the nation’s challenges,” the statement said.
