ADC Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The council described the claim as false and challenged its promoter, Timi Frank, to provide evidence before security agencies.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council said the allegation was too serious to be ignored and called on security agencies to investigate it.
“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,” the statement said.
The APC Campaign Council added that Frank should make available any information that could help investigators.
“We also urge Mr Frank not to hesitate to provide any information in his possession that will enable prompt investigation. Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation,” it said.
The council rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu or the APC Campaign Council was involved in any plan to harm Atiku or any opposition politician.
“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 statement added.
The APC also dismissed reports that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that Atiku continues to receive protection from security agencies.
“The narrative that the security personnel attached to former Vice President Atiku have been withdrawn is totally false.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 Security,” the council said.
According to the statement, President Tinubu recently directed security agencies to strengthen protection for all presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
The council further stated that Atiku, as a former vice president, enjoys state-funded security and that his protection has not been compromised.
The APC said President Tinubu understands the role of opposition in a democracy, noting that he spent many years as an opposition leader before his party defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general election.
The council accused Frank of making sensational claims to create political tension ahead of the elections but urged politicians and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully.
“However, we urge candidates, political parties, and supporters to be factual and responsible in public statements and avoid utterances that can trigger avoidable tension in the polity. Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations,” the statement concluded.
The APC’s response follows allegations by Timi Frank that the Federal Government was plotting to assassinate Atiku Abubakar, a claim that has continued to generate political debate as activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
