Atiku distances himself from viral grant

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has disassociated himself from a group advertising and promoting an empowerment scheme on social media platforms with his name.

On Thursday, a page called Travel Abroad Opportunities shared a URL link for people interested in applying for an N65,00 Atiku Grant by FG.

The empowerment scheme promised to disburse N65,000 to successful applicants after filling out an application form.

The comment section was filled with other Facebook users signifying interest and commending Atiku for spearheading the grant.

Faith Chijioke, a Facebook user, directed other users who signified interest to send direct messages to a phone number via WhatsApp.

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“DM him immediately, on WhatsApp +2347049293492,” one of the Facebook users’ comments read.

However, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ube, revealed that the former vice president had no connection with the empowerment scheme and described it as a scam.

“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (2023), is not currently running an empowerment scheme that purports to give N65,000 to successful applicants,” he said.

“Also, there is no organisation related to, connected with, and associated with the former Vice President that is running an empowerment scheme that is running an empowerment scheme by whatever shape or form.

“The so-called Atiku Grant by FG is a scam, which aims to flee unsuspecting Nigerians of their hard-earned money.”
Ibe also warned unsuspecting Nigerians from participating in the scheme and urged security agencies to investigate the promoters of the scam and bring them to book.