Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide
Fresh political tensions erupted on Thursday as the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar firmly denied allegations that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent visit to former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) in Minna involved negotiations over a 2027 vice-presidential slot.
In a strongly worded rebuttal, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described claims linking the visit to political horse-trading as “baseless fiction” and “a deliberate distortion of events.”
The controversy began after former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose circulated claims suggesting that Makinde and Atiku held discussions centered on potential ticket arrangements ahead of the next general election cycle.
However, addressing the narrative directly, Shaibu insisted that Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide was the accurate position of the former vice president’s camp.
“No negotiations, no financial dealings”
Shaibu categorically denied allegations that discussions during the Minna visit involved bargaining over a vice-presidential position, zoning permutations, or financial commitments.
“At no time did former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engage in the imaginary negotiations described in that publication,” he stated.
He further dismissed suggestions that there were conversations about multi-billion-naira financial contributions or guarantees of delegate support structures.
According to him, the assertion that Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide needed to be clearly stated in order to prevent misinformation from shaping public discourse.
“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,” Shaibu said.
Political camps trade narratives
The exchange highlights early positioning within Nigeria’s evolving 2027 political landscape, even as formal campaign activities remain distant.
Fayose’s claims had suggested that the Minna meeting carried strategic undertones tied to opposition realignments and succession calculations.
But the Atiku camp rejected the premise entirely, arguing that routine political consultations should not be misrepresented as transactional deals.
Shaibu characterised the allegations as an attempt to inject sensationalism into otherwise ordinary political engagements.
Reiterating the core message that Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide, he accused critics of manufacturing controversy to gain relevance.
The statement emphasised that Atiku’s political engagements are national in scope and rooted in policy advocacy rather than secretive arrangements.
Observers note that meetings with elder statesmen such as IBB are not unusual in Nigerian politics, where consultation with political veterans remains a longstanding tradition.
Such engagements often focus on governance, national unity and institutional reforms rather than immediate ticket negotiations.
Shaibu argued that portraying the Minna meeting as a bargaining session undermines the seriousness of national political dialogue.
He maintained that the principle guiding the former vice president’s activities aligns with transparent coalition-building rather than clandestine agreements.
Opposition realignment speculation
Speculation about potential alliances has intensified in recent months amid discussions about opposition unity and electoral reform.
Atiku, a perennial presidential contender, has consistently called for collaboration among opposition figures to strengthen democratic competition.
Governor Makinde, meanwhile, remains a prominent figure within his political platform, with growing influence in the South-West.
Analysts suggest that narratives linking the two figures may reflect broader conversations about coalition arithmetic rather than confirmed arrangements.
Nonetheless, the official stance remains firm that Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide, distancing the meeting from any 2027 permutations.
Response to “Dubai meeting” claim
Part of the circulating narrative included references to an alleged “Dubai meeting” connected to strategic discussions.
Shaibu dismissed such claims outright, describing them as fictional constructs lacking factual basis.
“There is certainly no clandestine ‘Dubai meeting’ on any such agenda,” he said, insisting that the rumours were designed to mislead the public.
Political analysts caution that misinformation can gain traction quickly in Nigeria’s highly competitive political environment, especially on digital platforms.
The emphatic clarification that Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide appears aimed at preempting further speculation.
Beyond rebutting allegations, the Atiku camp reiterated its broader political message centered on governance reform and economic revival.
Shaibu stressed that Atiku remains committed to national development issues rather than “backroom theatrics.”
He described attempts to frame routine consultations as transactional bargaining as distractions from substantive policy debate.
In his words, Atiku does not “transact politics in secrecy, bribery, or desperation,” but instead engages in principled consultations.
By reinforcing the line that Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide, the statement sought to reframe the narrative toward national interest rather than electoral speculation.
Although the next general election cycle remains over a year away, early political manoeuvring and alliance-building are already shaping public conversation.
Political strategists argue that perception management plays a crucial role in maintaining credibility among party loyalists and undecided voters.
Public rebuttals such as this reflect heightened sensitivity around succession narratives and zoning debates.
While informal consultations among political actors are routine, the politicisation of such visits underscores the competitive environment ahead.
For now, the Atiku camp’s position remains unequivocal: Makinde’s visit to IBB not about VP slot – Atiku’s aide.
Whether the controversy fades or evolves into a broader debate about opposition alignment remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that political actors are increasingly vigilant about how their engagements are portrayed.
As Nigeria approaches another electoral season, transparency in communication and clarity in public messaging will likely become even more critical.
For both Atiku and Makinde, maintaining political credibility amid swirling rumours will shape their strategic trajectories.
For now, the Minna meeting stands officially framed as a consultative engagement — not a vice-presidential negotiation.
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