The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as false and urging security agencies to investigate its source.
The council was reacting to an allegation by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who claimed that the Nigerian government was plotting to kill Atiku, the party’s presidential candidate.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council said Frank should provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
It urged security agencies to invite him for questioning, stressing that any credible threat to life should be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
The council also called on Frank to promptly provide any information in his possession that could assist an investigation into the alleged plot.
“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 said.
It further dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that he remained protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).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 council, President Bola 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.
It maintained that Atiku’s security had not been compromised, adding that he enjoyed two levels of state-funded protection as a former vice president and presidential candidate.
The council said Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s 27-year-old democracy, recalling his role in the opposition movement that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election.
However, it accused Frank of making allegations capable of heightening political tension, describing the claim as an attempt to attract attention and gain political advantage.
The statement also warned that political actors might resort to unsubstantiated allegations as the 2027 election campaign season approaches.
It called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements were factual and responsible.
The council urged political actors to focus on issues affecting Nigerians and conduct their competition peacefully and within the law, rather than engaging in what it described as character assassination and baseless accusations.
The statement did not provide independent evidence to substantiate its assertions about the current security arrangements surrounding Atiku or the alleged withdrawal of his security personnel.
