Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said that Atiku’s resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not meant for public circulation and was instead leaked by political actors intent on undermining his political ambitions.

Speaking on Arise News on Wednesday night, Ibe stated that the letter dated July 14, 2025, was deliberately leaked by individuals opposed to Atiku within the PDP and their collaborators in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said the timing of the leak — a day after the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari — was intended to provoke controversy and shift public attention.

“We’re here because people who never wished His Excellency Atiku Abubakar well leaked a communication of his. Yes, it was leaked,” Ibe said.

His comments followed criticisms from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who accused Atiku of intentionally releasing the letter to distract the public during a national period of mourning.

Buhari was buried in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, with President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other dignitaries in attendance.

Keyamo, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledged Atiku’s right to change political parties but said the timing was in poor taste.

“Your Excellency, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of mourning… is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself,” Keyamo wrote.

He further criticised Atiku’s continued use of Nigeria’s Coat of Arms in private communications, arguing that it violates the Flag and Coat of Arms Act and could amount to impersonation. “It is both morally and legally wrong,” he stated, citing Section 6 of the law and noting his responsibility as a cabinet member and senior lawyer to uphold the constitution.

In response, Ibe dismissed Keyamo’s intervention, accusing him of deflecting from his ministerial responsibilities. “It’s unfortunate that the Minister of Aviation, who rather should be concerned with serious issues of aviation matters and there are plenty of them, like runways and better infrastructure, jumped into this fray as though knowing what caused an accident even before investigation,” he said.

Ibe insisted that Atiku’s resignation should not become a distraction during a time of national mourning. He questioned how critics could claim to know Atiku’s reasons or timing, calling such claims speculative and ill-intentioned.

“Those who claim to know why he resigned, are they clairvoyants?” he asked.

He maintained that the leak was part of a broader political sabotage. “Rogue elements in the PDP working in cahoots with APC members” orchestrated the release, he said, describing the development as a targeted campaign.

Atiku’s resignation letter, which was circulated online by one of his media aides, Abdul Rasheeth, on Wednesday, confirmed his departure from the PDP.

The letter was addressed to the chairman of his Jada 1 ward in Adamawa State. In it, Atiku cited “irreconcilable differences” with the party leadership and expressed concern about the party’s deviation from its founding principles.

He also acknowledged the opportunities the PDP had given him, including serving as Vice President and twice being nominated as its presidential candidate. However, he described the party’s internal crises as limiting and said the direction it had taken made it necessary to leave.