Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims by former Ekiti State Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose, describing him as a serial political gossip and urging the public to disregard his “beer parlour tales of infamy” regarding vice-presidential tickets.

Atiku clarified that there were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets during his recent visit to the residence of former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida.

Fayose had alleged, in what is described as a malicious fabrication, that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde agreed to run as Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate with a promise to provide ₦10 billion in contributions.

Responding to the claim in a statement signed Thursday in Abuja, Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to the former VP, emphasized that Atiku never engaged in any “imaginary horse-trading” described in Fayose’s story.

According to Shaibu, Fayose’s narrative is not insider information but “insider fiction” — designed to mislead, distract, and provoke.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“Hiss Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s political engagements are broad-based, principled, and national in scope — not the narrow, transactional theatrics invented in that publication.

“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.”

It concluded: “Certain individuals, long deprived of credibility, now attempt to manufacture relevance by inventing tales around serious national figures. Falsehood may trend briefly, but it collapses under the weight of truth. Atiku Abubakar does not engage in secret deals, bribery, or transactional desperation as mischievously portrayed. He remains focused on principled engagement and national redemption.”

The statement advised the public to treat Fayose’s publication with the contempt it deserves. (The Guardian)