Atiku Dismisses Reports of Private Meeting With Yari, Says Encounter Was at Abuja Airport
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has refuted reports claiming he held a private meeting with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, at his Abuja residence.
The denial follows media speculation that Atiku hosted the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in a closed-door meeting ahead of his recent trip, a development that triggered conversations about possible cross-party alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, has clarified that no such meeting took place.
In a statement issued on Tuesday via his official X handle, Ibe explained that the former vice president merely had a brief, coincidental encounter with Senator Yari at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to the statement, Atiku had travelled on Monday, February 2, for a private visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to observe the lesser hajj (Umrah), accompanied by family members and close associates.
“While waiting at the departure lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the former Vice President had a chance encounter with the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, during which the duo exchanged greetings and pleasantries,” Ibe said.
He therefore dismissed as inaccurate reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Atiku hosted Yari at his Abuja residence for a private political meeting.
The clarification appears aimed at dousing growing political speculation surrounding the reported interaction.
