Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected reports claiming he held a private meeting with former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 23, by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the report was untrue and clarified that the interaction in question was nothing more than a brief encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“At no time did former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hold a private meeting with Senator Abdulaziz Yari at his residence or anywhere else in Abuja,” the statement said.
According to the statement, Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was at the airport on Monday, February 2, making preparations to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj.
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He was said to be accompanied by members of his family and close associates.
The media office explained that the former vice president ran into Yari while waiting to board his flight.
“While waiting at the departure lounge, the former Vice President had a chance encounter with Senator Abdulaziz Yari, during which both men exchanged greetings and pleasantries,” the statement added.
Atiku’s camp described reports suggesting a secret meeting as “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public”.
“The public is hereby urged to disregard these unfounded reports being circulated in sections of the media,” the statement further noted.