Atiku’s aide dismisses Minna meeting story as ‘fabrication’

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed as false and malicious a report alleging political negotiations between Atiku and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Minna, describing the claims as entirely fabricated.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, condemned a publication authored by Peter Ayodele Fayose titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,” calling it “a reckless and malicious fabrication.”

Shaibu said the report falsely alleged that Atiku engaged in political horse-trading, including discussions over a vice-presidential ticket, a ₦10 billion contribution, zoning arrangements, delegate guarantees, and a purported clandestine meeting in Dubai.

“At no time did former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engage in the imaginary horse-trading described in that laughable script,” the statement read. “There were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets, no financial contributions discussed, and no secret meetings as claimed.”

The aide described the story as “insider fiction” aimed at misleading the public and stirring controversy, insisting that Atiku’s political engagements remain “broad-based, principled, and national in scope.”

He further accused the author of spreading political gossip and propaganda to gain relevance, adding that dragging other political figures into the narrative did not add credibility to the claims.

Shaibu stressed that Atiku does not conduct politics through “secrecy, bribery, or transactional desperation,” and remains committed to what he termed principled national engagement.

He advised the public to disregard the report, describing it as lacking credibility.