Atiku disowns report linking him to SUV gift for Naval Officer in clash with Wike

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports claiming he donated a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to a naval officer who allegedly had a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

A statement released by Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, on Wednesday described the report as false, misleading, and politically motivated, urging Nigerians to disregard it completely.

The story, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that Atiku rewarded the officer involved in the viral video of an altercation with Wike during a traffic incident in Abuja.

However, Atiku’s camp dismissed the claim, saying it was part of an ongoing smear campaign aimed at creating tension between the former Vice President and the federal government.

“For the record, Atiku Abubakar did not give any SUV to any naval officer. The story is pure fabrication meant to divert public attention and create unnecessary controversy,” the statement said.

The spokesman added that Atiku remains focused on national issues, particularly governance, democracy, and economic stability, rather than engaging in trivial political drama.

He urged media outlets and social media users to verify information before sharing, to avoid spreading fake news capable of causing public confusion.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has yet to issue an official statement on the reported incident between its officer and the FCT Minister, though sources confirm that an internal review is underway.

The viral video, which surfaced earlier in the week, showed Wike confronting a uniformed naval officer during a road clearance operation in Abuja. The footage has since stirred public debate about the use of authority and respect for military personnel.