Atiku raises alarm over suspicious bank credit

Former Vice President and Nigeria — African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over a suspicious and unauthorised credit into one of his private bank accounts. In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the transfer originated from an unknown individual or entity and carried the narration 'Contribution Electioneering Campaign.' Neither Atiku nor his campaign solicited, authorised, or had any knowledge of the payment. Atiku questioned how unknown persons obtained his confidential banking details, noting that the account was strictly private and its details were not in the public domain. He warned that if the private banking information of a former Vice President and leading presidential candidate could be accessed without authorisation, no Nigerian's financial privacy is safe. He also expressed concern that the disclosure may have involved individuals with privileged access, which could expose account holders to criminal elements such as kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, and fraudsters. Atiku called on the Nigerian public and security agencies to take note of the incident, describing it as part of a series of 'suspicious activities' ahead of the 2027 general elections. He alleged that the incident could be an attempt to damage his reputation and urged Nigerians not to be distracted by what he called 'tired tactics' aimed at character assassination.