The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied claims by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, alleging that secret political negotiations were underway ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fayose had alleged that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, was considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party for the African Democratic Congress as part of an arrangement that would see him emerge as Atiku’s running mate in 2027.
The former Ekiti governor made the claim in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, titled, “Between Atiku and Makinde: Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday.”
In the post, Fayose alleged that Makinde met with Atiku in Minna, Niger State, in what he described as a strategic meeting involving select political figures.
But reacting in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the allegation as false and deliberately misleading.
“At no time did former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engage in the imaginary horse-trading described in that publication,” Shaibu said.
“The entire narrative is a reckless and malicious fabrication.”
Shaibu firmly denied claims that discussions were held regarding a vice-presidential slot, financial commitments, zoning arrangements, or delegate assurances.
“There were no negotiations over a vice-presidential ticket. There were no conversations about ₦10 billion contributions.
There were no zoning manipulations or delegate-delivery guarantees,” he stated.
“And there was certainly no clandestine meeting in Dubai on any such agenda.”
The Atiku aide accused Fayose of attempting to stir political controversy through what he termed a fabricated account.
“This is not insider information; it is insider fiction—manufactured to mislead and provoke unnecessary tension,” he said.
He maintained that Atiku’s political engagements remain broad-based and guided by national interest rather than transactional arrangements.
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s political consultations are principled and national in scope. They are not the narrow, transactional theatrics portrayed in that script,” Shaibu added.
The statement urged members of the public to disregard the allegations, insisting that the former vice president does not conduct secretive political bargains.
“We advise Nigerians to treat the publication with the contempt it deserves,” he said.
