Fayose’s Minna meeting claim false, malicious — Atiku

 

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed as false the claim by former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, regarding his alleged political meeting with Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, in Minna, Niger State.

Atiku, through a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described Fayose’s account as a fabrication designed to mislead the public and stir unnecessary controversy.

Fayose had alleged that Atiku met with Governor Makinde at the Minna residence of former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, where discussions were held on a possible running mate arrangement and a financial pledge to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). But Atiku said the narrative was entirely untrue.

According to the statement, the publication credited to Fayose was “a reckless and malicious fabrication” and “a shameless concoction,” adding that it was built on political gossip and distortion.

“At no time did Atiku Abubakar engage in the imaginary horse-trading described in that laughable script. There were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets, no discussions about N10 billion contributions, no zoning manipulations, and no delegate-delivery guarantees,” the statement said.

It further denied any secret foreign meeting tied to such an agenda, insisting that attempts to drag other political actors into the story only exposed what it called desperation behind the claim.

The former vice president maintained that his political consultations remain broad-based and principle-driven, not anchored on transactional or secret arrangements as portrayed by Fayose.

The statement added that the story credited to the former Ekiti governor was not insider information but “insider fiction” aimed at provoking Nigerians and diverting attention from serious national issues.

“It is unfortunate that individuals who have lost political credibility now seek relevance by manufacturing tales around national figures. Falsehood may trend briefly, but truth will prevail,” it added.

Atiku urged members of the public to disregard the report and treat it with caution and contempt, stressing that he remains committed to transparent and principled political engagement.