Alleged Mecca Meeting, Nasarawa Govt Dismisses Report Linking Sule, Atiku as Fabrication
By Yahaya Idris, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government has strongly refuted a report published on Friday, March 27, 2026, by Peoples Gazette alleging that Governor Abdullahi A. Sule held a secret meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the lesser Hajj. The report further claimed that the governor pledged financial support to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Describing the publication as reckless, mischievous and utterly irresponsible, the state government declared unequivocally that the story is entirely false, baseless and a complete fabrication that did not occur and has no basis in fact.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Addra, the government acknowledged that Governor Sule recently travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj, describing the trip as a routine act of personal religious devotion expected of a Muslim of his standing. However, the statement stressed that at no point during his stay did the governor meet with Atiku Abubakar or any of his associates.
It further clarified that Governor Sule was not even aware of the former Vice President’s presence in Saudi Arabia, dismissing claims of a purported two-hour dinner meeting at the Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel as pure fiction.
The government maintained that no discussions, agreements or financial commitments of any kind took place, insisting that the allegations amount to “fiction dressed as journalism” and a clear case of yellow journalism.
The government also drew attention to the position of Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, who, when contacted by the publication, reportedly stated that he was not aware of any such meeting.
According to the statement, this denial further exposes the lack of credibility in the report, especially given that the spokesperson has consistently confirmed meetings involving the former Vice President in the past.
Highlighting what it described as the suspicious timing of the report, the state government noted that the publication came barely two days after Governor Sule publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu.
The governor had, at a high-level gathering of party leaders in the North Central zone, seconded a motion supporting President Tinubu’s adoption as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, a position widely witnessed and documented.
The statement emphasized that Governor Sule has consistently demonstrated unwavering support for President Tinubu, both in words and actions, describing him as a forthright leader who does not engage in double standards.
It therefore described any attempt to portray the governor as secretly working against the president as not only false but a deliberate act of political sabotage aimed at damaging his reputation and credibility.
The government further alleged that the report may be linked to emerging political developments ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in light of Governor Sule’s growing political relevance. It accused unnamed political actors of orchestrating misinformation campaigns to weaken the strong relationship between the president and APC governors, noting that such efforts are doomed to fail.
According to the statement, the bond between President Tinubu and the governors is rooted in shared goals, mutual respect and a proven record of loyalty that cannot be undermined by unfounded reports.
Reaffirming its position, the Nasarawa State Government urged the public, especially residents of the state, to disregard the publication entirely, describing it as misleading and politically motivated.
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It also called on Peoples Gazette to retract the story and issue an unreserved apology, stressing that journalism carries a responsibility to uphold truth, accuracy and fairness.
The statement concluded by reiterating Governor Sule’s commitment to the APC, his continued support for President Tinubu’s administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as his dedication to the people of Nasarawa State, insisting that no amount of political mischief can alter his stance.
