Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has denied holding any talks about the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential ticket during his recent visit to Niger state, rejecting claims made by former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose.
Atiku visited former military president Ibrahim Babangida in Minna on Tuesday, alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. He arrived shortly after 1 p.m., with Makinde joining the meeting later.
Although the details of the discussions were not made public, Atiku said his trip aimed to strengthen the ADC’s political structure in Niger ahead of future elections.
Fayose had claimed that the Minna meeting served as a platform for Atiku and Makinde to agree on the ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket arrangement.
He alleged that Makinde demanded the vice-presidential slot as a condition for joining the party and promised to contribute N10 billion to support its launch. Fayose also claimed the Oyo governor pledged to deliver south-west delegates and mobilise votes in the south-south through political influence.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the allegations as false and politically motivated.
“There were no zoning manipulations. There were no delegate-delivery guarantees. And there is certainly no clandestine Dubai meeting on any such agenda,” the statement said.
‘Beer-parlour tales of infamy’
Atiku called Fayose’s claims “beer-parlour tales of infamy” designed for cheap propaganda, insisting that no discussions took place about vice-presidential tickets or financial commitments.
He said his political engagements remain national in scope and rooted in principles rather than secret negotiations or transactional politics.
“Falsehood may trend for a moment, but it collapses under the weight of truth,” he added.
The dispute comes amid ongoing tensions involving key political figures linked to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde and Fayose have clashed publicly in recent months, particularly over political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections. Both Makinde and Nyesom Wike were members of the G5 governors who opposed Atiku’s 2023 presidential bid.
Atiku urged the public to disregard Fayose’s claims, maintaining that his political activities remain transparent and focused on national interests.
