The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, challenging African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Timi Frank to substantiate his claim....
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, challenging African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Timi Frank to substantiate his claim.
The council described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank to provide evidence, stressing that any credible threat to life must be investigated regardless of political affiliation.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council said neither the Presidency nor the APC Presidential Campaign Council was involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
It also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice-president had been withdrawn.
“The narrative that the security personnel attached to former Vice President Atiku have been withdrawn is totally false,” the statement said.
According to the council, Atiku remains protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), with the President recently directing security agencies to reinforce protection for candidates contesting presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council further said Atiku, as a former vice-president and presidential candidate, enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection.
It added that President Bola Tinubu had increased security protection for the ADC presidential candidate ahead of the elections.
The campaign council described Tinubu as a statesman and committed democrat who recognises opposition politics as essential to Nigeria’s democracy.
It recalled Tinubu’s role in the opposition movement that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election after 16 years of PDP rule at the federal level.
The statement accused Frank and other opposition figures of making allegations and issuing open letters to attract attention from foreign leaders and international organisations.
It described Frank’s claim as an attempt to raise political tension, warning that such allegations could heighten anxiety as the country approaches the election season.
The council urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to make responsible public statements and avoid claims capable of triggering unnecessary tension.
It said political competition should remain peaceful, lawful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than what it described as character assassination and baseless allegations.
Frank’s allegation and the campaign council’s denial come amid political realignments and preparations for the 2027 general election.
The statement did not provide details of the specific security arrangements currently in place for Atiku. Frank’s evidence for the alleged assassination plot was also not included in the statement.