The Minister of Solid Minerals and President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Director of Strategic Communications, Dele Alake, speaking on the Federal Government’s economic reforms during an interactive session with members of the APC Press Corps in Abuja. Photo credit: Abdulrahman Zakariyau
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has challenged a member of the African Democratic Congress, Timi Frank, to substantiate his allegation that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President and African Democratic Congress Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement on Tuesday, the PCC spokesperson and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, dismissed the allegation, insisting that neither President Bola Tinubu nor the APC campaign council was involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
In an open letter to US President Donald Trump and other international leaders on Monday, Frank expressed concern over reports of alleged plans to intimidate, arrest, detain or otherwise frustrate Atiku’s participation in the forthcoming electoral process.
He also raised concerns over alleged threats to Atiku’s life.
Reacting, the council also urged security agencies to invite Frank for questioning, stressing that any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
The APC PCC stated, “Our attention has been drawn to the statement by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress, alleging that the Nigerian government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the ADC.
“This is a grave allegation that Mr Frank must prove. We thus urge security agencies to invite him to substantiate the allegation, given its gravity and the urgent need to preserve life. We also urge Mr Frank not to hesitate to provide any information in his possession that will enable a prompt investigation. Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
“We categorically reject the claim that the Presidency of Nigeria or the APC Campaign Council is involved in any plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any opposition figure.
“The narrative that the security personnel attached to former Vice President Atiku have been withdrawn is totally false. The former Vice President is well protected by the police and the Department of State Services. Contrary to the falsehood promoted by Timi Frank, President Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce and increase protection for all presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country.”
The APC Presidential Campaign Council said Atiku’s security had not been compromised, adding that President Bola Tinubu had ordered increased protection for the ADC presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The council said Tinubu recognised opposition politics, recalling his role in mobilising opposition forces that defeated the PDP in 2015.
It stated, “The security around the ADC presidential candidate has never been compromised. As a former Vice President of Nigeria, he enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection. President Tinubu has increased security protection for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“President Bola Tinubu, as a statesman and an avowed democrat, recognises opposition politics as an essential part of our 27-year-old democracy. For 16 years in Nigeria, President Tinubu was the face of opposition, and he galvanised the opposition movement to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party as a governing party in Nigeria in 2015.
“Mr Frank’s claim is typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity. Many opposition figures, including Timi Frank, have made it a habit to write open letters and tag foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to draw undeserved attention to themselves.
“As we go deeper into the campaign season, politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage.”
The APC PCC urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to make responsible public statements and ensure that campaigns remain peaceful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations.