FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly denied allegations by former Ekiti State Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose that negotiations took place over a vice-presidential ticket during his recent visit to former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, Atiku described Fayose as a “serial political gossip” and urged the public to disregard what he termed “beer parlour tales of infamy.”
Fayose had claimed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde agreed to run as Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate, allegedly promising to contribute ₦10 billion as part of the arrangement. The claim reportedly followed Atiku’s recent visit to Babangida’s residence in Minna.
However, Atiku categorically denied the allegation.
The statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president rejected the claim in its entirety, describing it as “a reckless and malicious fabrication.”
“Our attention has been drawn to a reckless and malicious fabrication titled ‘Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,’ attributed to one Peter Ayodele Fayose,” the statement read.
“Let it be stated clearly: the entire publication is a shameless concoction, a tissue of lies stitched together by a serial purveyor of political gossip whose relevance survives only on controversy, distortion, and cheap propaganda.”
The statement stressed that no negotiations regarding a vice-presidential ticket took place during the visit to Babangida, nor were there any financial commitments discussed.
“There were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets. There were no discussions about ₦10 billion contributions. There were no zoning manipulations. There were no delegate-delivery guarantees. And there is certainly no clandestine ‘Dubai meeting’ on any such agenda,” Shaibu said.
Atiku described Fayose’s claims as “insider fiction manufactured to mislead, distract, and provoke.”
He accused the former Ekiti governor of attempting to create controversy in order to remain politically relevant.
“It is unfortunate that certain individuals, long deprived of credibility and political gravitas, now attempt to manufacture relevance by inventing tales around serious national figures,” the statement added.
Atiku further emphasised that Atiku’s political engagements remain broad-based and national in outlook, dismissing suggestions of secretive backroom negotiations.
“Atiku Abubakar does not transact politics in secrecy, bribery, or transactional desperation as mischievously and irresponsibly portrayed. He remains focused on principled engagement and national redemption not backroom theatrics designed by attention-seekers.”
The statement concluded by advising members of the public to treat Fayose’s publication “with the contempt it deserves,” asserting that falsehoods may gain temporary traction but will ultimately collapse under scrutiny.