The Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, has said that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent visit to former military Head of State General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in Minna was not about discussions on a vice-presidential slot, Shaibu said in Abuja on Thursday.

Makinde and Atiku were both reported to have attended meetings in Minna, Niger State, involving former Head of State IBB.

Claims had circulated in some media that discussions at the meeting involved negotiations over a vice-presidential position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Shaibu spoke in response to statements by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose alleging that Makinde and Atiku discussed a vice-presidential ticket and other political arrangements during the visit.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Shaibu described the claims in Fayose’s statement as false and said there were no negotiations on a vice-presidential slot during the meeting.

He said no discussions took place on financial contributions, zoning, delegate arrangements, or any related matters purported in other accounts.

Shaibu said the narrative suggesting Makinde’s visit was about a vice-presidential position was made up and incorrect.

In the statement, Shaibu said: “At no time did former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engage in the imaginary horse-trading described in that laughable script. 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’s statement contributes to clarification about the nature of political engagements involving senior political figures as public interest grows ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Clarifications from official aides can provide a factual account of events amid competing claims in the media.