Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has denied reports alleging that he held a secret meeting with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the lesser Hajj.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, the state government described the report as “a complete fabrication” and “false in its entirety.”
Mr Addra said no such meeting took place, stressing that the governor did not meet Mr Abubakar or anyone associated with him during the trip.
“At no point during his stay did Governor Sule meet with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or anyone close to him,” the statement said.
The statement added that the governor was not even aware of Mr Abubakar’s presence in Saudi Arabia, dismissing claims of a two-hour dinner meeting or any form of agreement as entirely unfounded.
“There was no meeting, no discussion, and no pledge of financial support. The allegations are fiction dressed as journalism,” it added.
The government further noted that a spokesman to Mr Abubakar, Paul Ibe, reportedly said he was unaware of any such meeting, further casting doubt on the claims.
It accused unnamed political actors of attempting to damage the relationship between Governor Sule and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
The statement maintained that the governor has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the president and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It recalled that Mr Sule recently reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu by seconding a motion for the North-Central zone of the APC to adopt him as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
“Governor Sule has always publicly expressed his support for President Tinubu and his administration. He does not say one thing in public and another in private,” the statement said.
The government described the report as a “calculated act of political sabotage” aimed at undermining the governor’s credibility and his relationship with the presidency.
It urged the public to disregard the report, insisting it is baseless and misleading.