Atiku Abubakar has been accused of intellectual theft after he allegedly copied the original “Ask Atiku” platform and its exact wording for his newly unveiled “Ask AA” citizen-engagement portal.
Podium Reporters gathered that the ADC presidential candidate launched Ask AA on 15 October 2026 as an information and citizen-engagement platform giving Nigerians direct access to ask him questions about his political agenda, public service record and plans for the country. But the creator of the original platform says the launch statement mirrors, almost verbatim, the 2020 “Ask Atiku” project created and launched from scratch.
“In 2020, I created and launched Ask Atiku platform from scratch,” the creator told Podium Reporters. “Seeing you copy not just my original concept, but my exact wording verbatim without credit or even attempting to remix it, is a blatant theft of intellectual property.”
The ADC statement, signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, says Ask AA goes live at 8:30 p.m. today, 15 October 2026. It allows Nigerians to submit questions on the economy, security, technology, job creation and Atiku’s plan to make life more affordable. It adds that Atiku will respond personally, while his media team will also help provide answers.
It quotes Atiku saying he conceived Ask AA because he believes that “leadership is a two-way conversation”; the same phrase used in the 2020 original. The statement also promises personal calls to selected citizens who leave their contact details and says the platform is “powered by technology” to bridge the information gap between voters and the candidate.
On X, formerly Twitter, users are circulating side-by-side screenshots, archived posts and launch statements, tagging the ADC campaign and demanding attribution and an explanation. Several threads have gone viral, with commentators questioning the campaign’s originality and calling for credit.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council and Shaibu did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
More details are emerging on X.