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By John Ogunsemore
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has incurred the wrath of the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his statement on the ex-VP’s recent visit to Minna, Niger State.
Fayose’s statement titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna” was shared on his verified X account on Wednesday.
The ex-Ekiti governor said Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde visited Minna on Tuesday to meet up with Atiku as part of permutations ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Here is what happened behind the curtains.
“Venue and personalities involved in the meeting was carefully chosen so as to ensure confidence and acceptability.
“Consideration was given to the fact that Peter Obi will not accept to be Atiku’s running mate and he won’t also be acceptable to the North, as Atiku’s successor.
“Also, Atiku is 70% certain of getting the ADC ticket, having ensured the non-zoning of the party’s presidential ticket.
“Makinde agreed to join ADC on the condition that he will be handed the party’s Vice Presidential ticket, as Atiku’s running mate.
“This is expected to be presented to Atiku’s inner caucus for further discussions and ratification,” he stated.
Fayose further claimed, “Makinde offered to make available a sum of N10bn (to be released in two tranches), as his initial contribution towards what he called ‘proper take-off of the ADC,’ and make additional funds available when campaign begins.”
However, in a statement on Thursday, the camp of ex-VP Atiku described Fayose’s record of proceedings as “shameless concoction” and “beer parlour talk”.
The statement was signed by Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, Phrank Shaibu.
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The statement reads, “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.
“At no time did former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engage in the imaginary horse-trading described in that laughable script.
“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.”
Atiku’s camp added, “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.”
The statement maintained that Atiku’s political engagements are broad-based, principled, and national in scope — not the narrow, transactional theatrics invented in that publication.
“The story is not insider information. It is insider fiction — manufactured to mislead, distract, and provoke.
“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,” Shaibu stated.
He added that the ex-VP does not transact politics in secrecy, bribery, or transactional desperation “as mischievously and irresponsibly portrayed”.
He said Atiku remains focused on principled engagement and national redemption — not backroom theatrics designed by attention-seekers.
He advised the public to “treat the publication with the contempt it deserves”.
