No plot to assassinate Atiku, APC Campaign Council declares

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations of a plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, insisting that his security arrangements remain intact.

The council also dismissed claims that Atiku’s security personnel had been withdrawn, describing the allegations raised by former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, as false and demanding that he provide evidence to support them.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the APC campaign council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said neither the Presidency nor the council was involved in any plot 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 described the allegation as serious and urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate his claims.

“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 added.

APC says Atiku’s security remains intact

The campaign council also rejected reports that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn.

According to Alake, Atiku continues to receive protection from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).

He further claimed that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised,” Alake said.

He maintained that Atiku, as a former vice president and presidential candidate, enjoys state-funded security protection, adding that the President had directed an increase in security arrangements for him ahead of the election.

The council, however, said any credible threat to life should be investigated, regardless of the political affiliation of the person involved.

It urged Frank to provide any information in his possession that could assist security agencies in investigating the allegations.

APC accuses opposition figures of political grandstanding

The campaign council accused Frank of making allegations intended to attract public attention and generate political tension.

It argued that political actors should avoid unsubstantiated claims, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.

Alake also cited Tinubu’s history in opposition politics, noting that the President had played a prominent role in efforts to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power in 2015.

He said Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy and urged political parties and their supporters to focus on substantive national issues.

The council called on political actors to ensure that their public statements remained factual and responsible, warning against remarks that could create unnecessary tension.

Timi Frank raises alarm over alleged threats to Atiku

Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, had raised concerns over what he described as alleged attempts to intimidate or arrest Atiku through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In an open letter addressed to United States President Donald Trump and other international leaders, Frank called for diplomatic attention and an independent investigation into the alleged threats to Atiku’s life and political freedom.

He expressed concern that the anti-graft agency could be used to initiate proceedings against the former vice president in circumstances that might result in his 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 maintained that his concerns were not about exempting Atiku from the law but about preventing the alleged misuse of state institutions for political purposes.

“The concern is not that Atiku Abubakar should be placed above the law. The concern is that the law must never be placed at the service of political persecution,” he said.

Frank added that protecting political opposition was a fundamental responsibility of a democratic government.

“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 stated.

The APC campaign council has rejected the allegations, while Frank has called for an independent investigation. The claims of an assassination plot, possible arrest and withdrawal of security personnel were not independently established in the information provided.

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