26/09/2025
Propaganda, Fake Spokesmen, and the Politics of Fear: The Case of Atiku Abubakar
By Dare Adelekan
In every democracy, the battle for truth is often as fierce as the battle for power. Nigeria is no exception. In recent days, Nigerians have been confronted with yet another round of propaganda: a so-called press release issued in the name of Waziri Atiku Abubakar by one “Kola Johnson.” For those who know the Waziri of Adamawa, this is not only laughable but insulting to the collective intelligence of Nigerians. Atiku has never, at any time, associated with anyone bearing that name, and certainly not in the capacity of a spokesperson authorized to speak for him.
This development underscores a dangerous trend in our political culture: the weaponization of fake news, fabricated personalities, and false statements as tools of manipulation. When opponents are unable to counter the force of ideas, they resort to the force of lies. And when leaders like Atiku Abubakar maintain a dignified presence in Nigeria’s political space, the only recourse for detractors is to create fake voices and false documents to diminish his credibility.
But let us be clear: Atiku Abubakar is not a man whose voice can be forged, nor whose integrity can be dragged into the mud of propaganda. Since his emergence as a frontline political figure in Nigeria, Atiku has always communicated through recognized channels—his official media office, his seasoned media advisers, and his well-known political allies. He has never hidden under faceless individuals or fictitious personalities to advance his views. The so-called “Kola Johnson” is therefore nothing more than a phantom, conjured by desperate propagandists who believe Nigerians are gullible enough to be deceived.
The Propaganda Industry in Nigerian Politics
What we are witnessing is not new. Nigerian politics has long been plagued by a propaganda industry that thrives on fake news, forged documents, and lies presented as facts. From the days of military decrees to the era of democratic contests, disinformation has been deployed as a weapon to discredit opponents and confuse the public. But in the age of social media, where falsehoods spread faster than wildfire, the stakes are even higher.
Atiku Abubakar, because of his towering political stature, has often been the target of such propaganda. His resilience in the political arena, his consistent calls for restructuring, economic reform, and good governance, and his unwavering commitment to democracy make him a formidable figure that opponents would rather smear than debate. Instead of engaging his ideas, they invent lies. Instead of countering his arguments, they create ghost spokesmen like “Kola Johnson.”
Why Atiku Remains a Target
The desperation of propagandists to silence Atiku tells us more about his relevance than their lies ever could. Atiku Abubakar represents an alternative vision of Nigeria: one where unity is balanced with equity, where economic reforms are pursued with urgency, and where democracy is strengthened by genuine accountability. That vision frightens those who thrive on Nigeria’s dysfunction.
By creating a false press release, opponents are trying to achieve three goals. First, they want to confuse the public by putting words in Atiku’s mouth. Second, they want to discredit him by associating him with reckless statements he never made. And third, they want to weaken his credibility by making it seem as though he cannot control his own media narrative. It is a classic propaganda strategy: create doubt where there should be clarity, and sow suspicion where there should be trust.
But Nigerians are wiser today. The days when propaganda could easily sway public opinion without scrutiny are gone. With fact-checking platforms, social media vigilance, and an increasingly informed populace, fake news no longer enjoys a monopoly of influence. This is why the “Kola Johnson” fabrication collapsed almost immediately upon scrutiny.
Atiku’s Record of Integrity
Let us not forget that Atiku Abubakar has endured decades of public service, political contests, and scrutiny at the highest levels. He has been Vice President, a serial presidential candidate, and a businessman of repute. Through all this, his critics have hurled every imaginable accusation at him—yet none has diminished his resolve to serve Nigeria. If anything, the endurance of Atiku in Nigeria’s political space is proof of his integrity and relevance.
Atiku has never hidden behind faceless individuals to speak for him. His official spokesmen—Paul Ibe and others—are well-known to Nigerians. His press releases are always traceable to his official media office. To suggest otherwise by peddling the fiction of a “Kola Johnson” is to insult the intelligence of Nigerians and underestimate the vigilance of Atiku’s supporters.
The Broader Implication
This episode also forces us to confront a broader problem: the collapse of truth in our public discourse. If political actors continue to deploy propaganda as their first weapon of attack, then the Nigerian democracy is at risk of drowning in a sea of lies. Democracy thrives on debate, accountability, and the competition of ideas—not on forgeries, fabrications, and falsehoods.
Those who resort to propaganda betray their own intellectual bankruptcy. They show us that they cannot match Atiku’s vision with their own, so they prefer to silence him with lies. But truth, as history teaches us, is always more enduring than propaganda. Lies have a short shelf life; they decay the moment they are exposed to the light of scrutiny.
Conclusion: Truth Will Prevail
The so-called “Kola Johnson press release” is nothing but a clumsy propaganda tool. Atiku Abubakar did not issue it, did not authorize it, and has never associated with any such individual. Nigerians must remain vigilant and refuse to be deceived by the desperate antics of political opponents who mistake lies for strategy.
Atiku Abubakar has always been clear in his communication. His positions are public, his words are official, and his vision for Nigeria is unshakable. No fake spokesman, no forged document, and no propaganda campaign can erase that truth.
In the end, Nigerians will remember not the lies told about Atiku but the consistency of his commitment to democracy, unity, and progress. Those who fabricate lies today will be forgotten tomorrow, but leaders who stand for truth and integrity will endure.
