Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly refuted claims made by former Ekiti State Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose, labeling him a serial political gossip and urging Nigerians to dismiss his so-called “beer parlour tales of infamy” regarding vice-presidential arrangements.
Atiku clarified that during his recent visit to the residence of former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, there were no discussions or negotiations concerning vice-presidential tickets.
Fayose had alleged, in what is described as a malicious fabrication, that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde agreed to run as Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate with a promise to contribute ₦10 billion.
Responding to the allegation in a statement signed Thursday in Abuja, Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to the former VP, emphasized that Atiku never engaged in any “imaginary horse-trading” described in Fayose’s account.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“The attempt to drag other political actors into this fabricated beer parlour tale does not elevate its credibility; it merely exposes the desperation behind it.
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s political engagements are broad-based, principled, and national in scope — not the narrow, transactional theatrics invented in that publication.
“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. Falsehood may trend for a moment, but it collapses under the weight of truth.
“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 further underscored, “Certain individuals, long deprived of credibility, now attempt to manufacture relevance by inventing tales around serious national figures. Falsehood may trend briefly, but it collapses under the weight of truth. Atiku Abubakar does not engage in secret deals, bribery, or transactional desperation as mischievously portrayed. He remains focused on principled engagement and national redemption.”
The public was urged to treat Fayose’s publication with the contempt it deserves.
