Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over an alleged unauthorised payment into one of his private bank accounts.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the transaction raised concerns over the possible compromise of his confidential banking information.

According to the statement, the account was credited by an individual unknown to Atiku, with the narration, “Contribution Electioneering Campaign.”

The former vice president said neither he nor his campaign solicited or authorised the payment and that he had no knowledge of the individual or entity behind the transaction.

“Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorised or has any knowledge of the individual or entity behind the unauthorised payment,” the statement read.

Atiku said the circumstances were particularly troubling because the account was strictly private and its details were not publicly available.

He questioned how unknown persons obtained the banking details, warning that the alleged breach could have implications for the financial privacy and security of Nigerians.

“If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown, then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe,” he said.

He also raised concerns that the information could have been obtained through individuals with privileged access, warning that such a breach, if established, could expose account holders to criminal elements.

The ADC presidential candidate said security agencies and members of the public had been alerted to the development, which he described as part of a series of suspicious activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He urged Nigerians not to be distracted by what he described as attempts to smear his reputation as political activities intensify.

“Such desperate antics have failed before and will fail again,” Atiku said.

He, however, maintained that he remained focused on providing what he described as credible leadership and practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.