By Our Reporter
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 support his claim.
The council described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank for questioning to substantiate the claim, stressing that any credible threat to life must be investigated regardless of political affiliation.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, categorically denied any involvement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration or the APC Campaign Council in an alleged plot to assassinate Atiku or any other opposition figure.
Alake also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that Atiku remained adequately protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the statement, Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce and increase protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council further claimed that Atiku, as a former vice president and a presidential candidate, enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection.
It said the president had increased security arrangements for the ADC presidential candidate in preparation for the forthcoming elections, adding that his security had not been compromised.
The APC campaign council maintained that Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy, citing the president’s role in opposition politics before the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
Alake noted that Tinubu spent 16 years as a prominent opposition figure and helped galvanise political forces that ended the PDP’s hold on the federal government.
The council accused Frank of making statements capable of heightening political tension, describing his allegation as an attempt to attract attention and gain political advantage.
It also criticised what it called a pattern of opposition figures writing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to attract public attention.
The statement warned that as political activities intensified ahead of the 2027 elections, politicians and their supporters might resort to exaggerated claims and unsubstantiated allegations for electoral advantage.
The council, however, called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements were factual and responsible.
It urged political actors to avoid comments capable of triggering unnecessary tension, insisting that political competition should remain peaceful, lawful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations.