In a statement released by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku clarified that there was no such private discussion. Instead, he explained that he only briefly crossed paths with Yari by chance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Atiku was actually on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj, accompanied by close associates and family members. While waiting in the departure lounge, he happened to see Yari, and the two exchanged greetings—nothing more than a casual, polite interaction.
The statement emphasized that reports of a closed-door meeting at Atiku’s residence were entirely fabricated. The former Vice President’s camp expressed concern over the spread of misinformation and felt the need to publicly correct the narrative to avoid further confusion. The incident highlights how quickly political rumors can spread, especially in the lead-up to major elections, and how easily casual encounters can be misrepresented as something far more significant.
Atiku’s team urged the media and the public to verify such claims before amplifying them, stressing that baseless speculation only distracts from real political developments. The statement served as a firm denial, shutting down any theories of an under-the-table deal between the two politicians. For now, it seems the interaction was nothing more than a brief, coincidental meeting at the airport—far from the secret strategy session some had imagined.
