The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations that the Nigerian government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as false and demanding evidence from its author, Timi Frank.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council urged security agencies to invite Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to substantiate his allegation.
The council described the claim as a grave allegation that must be investigated, stressing that any credible threat to life should be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
It also urged Frank to provide any information in his possession that could assist security agencies in conducting a prompt investigation.
The APC campaign council categorically denied that President Bola Tinubu’s administration or the APC campaign organisation was involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any other opposition figure.
It also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that he remained protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the statement, Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council maintained that Atiku’s security arrangements had not been compromised, noting that he enjoyed two levels of state-funded security protection as a former vice president and a presidential candidate.
It further claimed that Tinubu had increased security protection for Atiku in preparation for the 2027 polls.
Defending the president’s democratic credentials, the council said Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy.
Alake noted that Tinubu had spent 16 years as an opposition figure and played a prominent role in the political movement that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election.
The council accused Frank of making inflammatory allegations to attract public attention and heighten political tension.
It argued that some opposition figures had developed a habit of writing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to draw attention to themselves.
The statement warned that politicians and their supporters could resort to provocative statements and unsubstantiated allegations as the country approaches another election cycle.
The council, however, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements were factual and responsible.
It called for peaceful and lawful political competition focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than character attacks and what it described as baseless allegations.
The controversy comes as political actors begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with security and the safety of political candidates likely to remain sensitive issues during the campaign period.
