The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as false.
The council also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, had been withdrawn ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on October 20, 2026, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, challenged Timi Frank, an ADC member who made the allegation, to provide evidence to support his claim.
“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,” Alake said.
He urged Frank to cooperate with security agencies by providing any information in his possession to facilitate an investigation.
“Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation,” the statement added.
The APC campaign council categorically denied any involvement by President Bola Tinubu or the campaign organisation in an alleged plot against 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.
The council maintained that Atiku remained protected by security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“The narrative that the security personnel attached to former Vice President Atiku have been withdrawn is totally false,” the statement said.
According to Alake, Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for political candidates contesting the 2027 elections.
“Contrary to the falsehood promoted by Timi Frank, President Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce and increase protection for all presidential, vice-presidential, governorship, and Deputy Governorship candidates across the country,” he said.
The council further claimed that Atiku enjoyed two levels of state-funded security protection as a former vice president and had received additional protection as a presidential candidate.
“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised,” Alake said.
He added that Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy, citing the president’s role in the opposition before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
“President Bola Tinubu, as a statesman and an avowed democrat, recognises opposition politics as an essential part of our 27-year-old democracy,” he said.
Alake also criticised Frank’s allegation, describing it as an attempt to create political tension and attract public attention.
He warned that politicians could make unsubstantiated claims as the 2027 campaign season approached, urging political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint in their public statements.
“As we go deeper into the campaign season, politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage,” he said.
The APC campaign council called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than exchanging accusations.
“Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations,” Alake said.