The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has dismissed allegations of a plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that his security protection remains intact ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council also challenged former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, who raised the alarm over alleged threats to Atiku’s life, to provide evidence to support his claims.
In a statement on Tuesday, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said neither the presidency nor the APC campaign council was involved in any plan to harm Atiku or any opposition figure.
“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,” Alake said.
He urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate the allegation, given its seriousness and the need to protect lives.
“Reports that Atiku’s security personnel had been withdrawn are false. He remains protected by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS),” the council said.
It further said President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for presidential and other major political candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Atiku’s security has not been compromised. As a former vice president and presidential candidate, he enjoys state-funded security protection,” the council said.
However, Frank had called for an independent investigation into what he described as alleged plans to intimidate and arrest Atiku, including through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In an open letter addressed to United States President Donald Trump and other international leaders, Frank sought diplomatic intervention over the alleged threats to Atiku’s life and political freedom.
He expressed concern that the anti-graft agency could be used to initiate proceedings that might lead to Atiku’s arrest and prolonged detention during the election campaign.
“These allegations must be independently and urgently investigated. Given their gravity, however, they cannot be dismissed or ignored until it is too late to prevent harm,” Frank said.
He added that the issue was not whether Atiku should be above the law, but whether legal institutions could be used to target political opponents.
“The protection of political opposition is not a favour that any government grants at its discretion. It is a fundamental obligation of every democratic state,” he said.
Responding to Frank’s claims, the APC campaign council described the allegations as an attempt to create political tension and urged politicians to make responsible public statements.
It said any credible threat to life should be taken seriously, regardless of political affiliation, and encouraged Frank to provide any information that could help security agencies investigate the matter.
The council also pointed to Tinubu’s role in opposition politics before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections.
“The President recognised opposition politics as an important part of democracy,” Alake added.
2027: APC campaign council dismisses alleged plot to kill Atiku