ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, challenging the accuser, Timi Frank, to provide evidence to security agencies.
Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress, had alleged that the Nigerian Government was planning to assassinate Atiku, the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Dele Alake, described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate his claim.
Alake also called on Frank to provide any information in his possession to facilitate an investigation, stressing that credible threats to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
The council, however, categorically denied any involvement by President Bola Tinubu’s administration or the APC campaign council in an alleged plot against 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It also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice-president had been withdrawn, insisting that he remained protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
According to Alake, contrary to the allegation, Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
He maintained that Atiku’s security arrangements had not been compromised, adding that the former vice-president enjoyed two levels of state-funded protection by virtue of his former office.
The spokesperson further stated that 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, Alake said Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy, recalling his role in the opposition movement that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015.
“For 16 years in Nigeria, President Tinubu was the face of opposition, and he galvanised the opposition movement to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party as a governing party in Nigeria in 2015,” the statement said.
Alake accused Frank and some opposition figures of making inflammatory statements to attract public attention and create unnecessary tension in the polity.
He alleged that some opposition politicians had made a habit of writing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to gain attention.
The APC campaign council spokesperson warned that approaching election season could witness more provocative statements and allegations by politicians seeking electoral advantage.
He, however, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that their public statements were factual and responsible.
Alake said political competition should remain peaceful and lawful, urging politicians to focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than what he described as character assassination and baseless allegations.