The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly refuted a publication recently attributed to former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, describing it as false and deliberately misleading.
The article, titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,” had circulated widely, alleging behind-the-scenes political negotiations involving Atiku and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
In a statement issued by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president’s camp dismissed the claims as entirely untrue. Shaibu characterised the publication as “a shameless concoction of a tissue of lies stitched together by a serial purveyor of political gossip.”
According to the statement, the article’s assertions—including alleged negotiations over a vice-presidential ticket, discussions of a purported N10 billion contribution, zoning arrangements, and a secret “Dubai meeting” involving Atiku—were completely fabricated.
“The story is not insider information. It is insider fiction manufactured to mislead, distract, and provoke,” the statement read.
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Shaibu stressed that Atiku’s political engagements are “broad-based, principled, and national in scope,” rejecting what he described as attempts to portray them as “narrow, transactional theatrics.”
The media office urged members of the public to disregard the publication, advising that it be treated “with the contempt it deserves.” It also criticised what it described as a growing trend of individuals allegedly seeking relevance by inventing sensational political narratives around prominent national figures.
“Falsehoods may trend for a moment, but collapse under the weight of truth,” the statement added.
Reaffirming Atiku’s political stance, the media office said the former vice president remains committed to “principled engagement and national redemption,” rather than engaging in “backroom theatrics designed by attention-seekers.”
The rebuttal marks the latest development in the evolving political discourse ahead of future electoral contests, as key actors and their camps continue to respond to speculation surrounding alliances and power-sharing arrangements.