ATIKU DENIES HOLDING PRIVATE MEETING WITH EX-ZAMFARA GOVERNOR YARI

February 3, 2026

Read Time:58 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports claiming that he held a private meeting with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, at his Abuja residence.

The denial followed media reports describing an alleged “closed-door” meeting between Atiku and Yari, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a development that sparked speculation about possible cross-party political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday via X, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, clarified that the two political figures only met briefly at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to the statement, Atiku had on Monday, February 2, departed Nigeria for the lesser hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by family members and associates.

“While waiting at the departure lounge of the airport, the former Vice President had a chance encounter with the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, during which the duo exchanged pleasantries,” Ibe said.

The aide dismissed reports of a private meeting at Atiku’s residence as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard the speculation being circulated in some sections of the media.