- Challenges Timi Frank to prove allegation
- Tinubu’s campaign team says ADC presidential hopeful retains security protection, urges politicians to avoid inflammatory claims ahead of 2027 elections
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, challenging African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Timi Frank to provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
The council described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank for questioning, stressing that any credible threat to life must be investigated promptly, irrespective of political affiliation.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council categorically rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu or the APC Presidential Campaign Council was involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
“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,” the statement said.
“This is a grave allegation that Mr Frank must prove.”
The council urged Frank to cooperate with security agencies and provide any information in his possession that could facilitate an investigation.
It maintained that allegations involving threats to the life of a political figure should be treated with seriousness but insisted that such claims must be supported by credible evidence.
APC disputes claims of security withdrawal
The campaign council also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, insisting that the former vice president remained protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the statement, Atiku’s security arrangements had not been compromised and President Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council further argued that Atiku, as a former vice president and presidential candidate, enjoyed two levels of state-funded security protection.
It said Tinubu had increased security measures for the ADC presidential hopeful in preparation for the forthcoming elections.
The claims and counterclaims concerning Atiku’s security arrangements could not be independently established from the statement.
APC defends Tinubu’s democratic credentials
The council defended Tinubu’s record as a democratic leader, arguing that he recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democratic system.
It recalled Tinubu’s role in opposition politics before the 2015 general elections, when opposition parties united to defeat the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“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,” the statement said.
The council argued that Tinubu’s experience in opposition politics demonstrated his understanding of the importance of political competition and the rights of opposition parties to operate freely.
It accused Frank of engaging in political provocation, describing his allegation as an attempt to generate unnecessary tension and attract attention.
The council also criticised what it described as a pattern of opposition figures issuing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to draw public attention to themselves.
Council warns against inflammatory statements
With political activities expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the APC campaign council urged candidates, political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint in their public communications.
It warned against unsubstantiated allegations and inflammatory statements capable of heightening political tension or undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
The council called on political actors to focus their campaigns on substantive national issues rather than personal attacks and allegations they cannot substantiate.
“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 said.
The exchange highlights the importance of credible information, transparent security arrangements and responsible political communication as parties position themselves for the 2027 elections.
While the APC campaign council has firmly denied the alleged assassination plot, the substance of Frank’s allegation would require appropriate investigation and evidence-based clarification by the relevant authorities.
