Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has tackled ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State over his claim of an alleged political deal with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu said:

“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 N10bn 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.”

“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.”

“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.”

However, reacting to the statement, Fayose in a post on his X account, threatened to expose the former vice president.

He said: “I saw the response of one Paul Ibe, one of the media aides to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to my release on what transpired at his (Atiku’s) meeting in Minna, with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and I can’t but be amused.”

“However, because of my respect for Atiku, I will want to assume that he did not authorise the press statement, and I expect that after seeing it, he will, within 48 hours, cause a rebuttal to be issued on it.

“Should Atiku not publicly disown the statement within the next 48 hours, I will have no option but to spill more beans (the facilitators and executioners) of the Minna meeting, particularly what was said about Wike) and by then, I will be doing so without any atom of respect for him. Till then, we keep our gunpowder dry.”