APC Campaign Council denies plot to assassinate Atiku, challenges Timi Frank

Stanley Ihedigbo

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations of a plot by the Nigerian Government to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, challenging African Democratic Congress (ADC) member, Timi Frank, to substantiate his claims.

The Council described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank to provide evidence to support his assertion, stressing that any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.

In a press statement dated October 20, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the Council categorically denied that President Bola Tinubu or the APC Presidential Campaign Council was involved in any alleged plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.

It also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice-president had been withdrawn, insisting that he remained protected by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to the statement, President 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 maintained that Atiku’s security arrangements had not been compromised, adding that the former vice-president enjoyed two levels of state-funded security protection.

It said Tinubu had increased security protection for Atiku in his capacity as a presidential candidate ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Defending the President’s democratic credentials, the Council described Tinubu as a statesman who recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy.

It recalled Tinubu’s role in opposition politics before the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections, arguing that his political history contradicted suggestions that his administration would target opposition figures.

The statement criticised Frank’s allegation as an attempt to generate political tension, accusing some opposition figures of making sensational claims and publishing open letters to attract attention from foreign leaders and international organisations.

The Council, however, urged Frank not to withhold any information that could assist security agencies in investigating the alleged threat.

It stressed that all credible threats to the lives of political figures should be investigated promptly, regardless of party affiliation.

As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Council called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that their public statements were factual and responsible.

It warned against statements capable of heightening political tension, urging political actors to focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than what it described as character assassination and unsubstantiated allegations.

The Council said political competition should remain peaceful and lawful, with all parties contributing to an atmosphere conducive to democratic participation.