Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has denied reports claiming he held a private meeting with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, at his Abuja residence.
The clarification followed media reports suggesting that Atiku hosted Yari, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a closed-door meeting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, dismissed the reports, saying the former vice president only had a brief, chance encounter with Yari at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Tuesday via X, Ibe explained that Atiku was at the airport on Monday, February 2, preparing to travel for the lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia.
“On Monday, 2nd February, former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar embarked on a private journey for the lesser hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Ibe said.
He added that Atiku was accompanied to the airport by associates and family members, where he met Yari briefly at the departure lounge.
“While waiting at the departure lounge of the airport, the former Vice President had a chance encounter with the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, during which the duo greeted and exchanged pleasantries,” he stated.
Ibe therefore “disclaimed the false information being circulated in a section of the media that Atiku had a private meeting with Yari at his residence in Abuja.”
