The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has backtracked of his claim that he called the widow of the military officer killed by Boko Haram insurgents, Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba.
The former Vice President had in an article in the early hours of Monday claimed that he has called the widow of slain officer to commiserate with her on the death of her husband.
But the widow of the slain officer, Seun, denied the claim by the former Vice President.
However, Abubakar in a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, said: “Following the death of Lt. Col Ibrahim Sakaba during the Boko Haram insurgents’ attack on 157 Taskforce Battalion in Metele, H.E atiku’s staff made efforts to get contact of his widow to enable the former Vice President express his condolences over the loss of the fallen hero.
“Over the weekend, Atiku Abubakar was availed with phone numbers of Mrs. Sakaba and Maryam, younger sister of the late soldier, in the alternative.
“On Sunday, the former Vice President tried albeit unsuccessfully to contact Mrs. Sakaba but was able to eventually speak with Maryam, younger sister of the gallant soldier during which he expressed his deepest condolences to the family.
“However, this communication was erroneously communicated. The error is regretted.
“Atiku Abubakar, however reaffirms his deepest condolences to the Sakaba family, which sacrifices, like those of their brave son, keeps us safe.”