Atiku, Yari deny holding private meeting

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, have denied reports that they held a private meeting. In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, said his principal only had a chance encounter with the Zamfara senator at the airport. “Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had a chance […]

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, have denied reports that they held a private meeting.

In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, said his principal only had a chance encounter with the Zamfara senator at the airport.

“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had a chance encounter with Senator Abdulaziz Yari at the airport, not a meeting at his residence,” Ibe said.

Providing details of what transpired, Ibe explained that on Monday, February 2, Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), embarked on a private journey for the lesser hajj to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He said Atiku was accompanied by associates and family members to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“While waiting at the departure lounge, the former vice president had a chance encounter with the former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, during which the duo greeted and exchanged pleasantries,” Ibe said.

On his part, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice chairman for the North-east and an ally of Yari, corroborated the account.

He said he personally accompanied Senator Yari to greet Atiku at the airport and that after the exchange of pleasantries, there was no further discussion or meeting between the two leaders.