Mark Aba, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress, (APC), Presidential Campaign Council, (PCC), has dismissed allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as baseless and capable of heightening political tension.
The council challenged Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), who made the allegation, to provide evidence to substantiate his claim.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, urged security agencies to invite Frank for questioning, stressing that any credible threat to life must be investigated, irrespective of political affiliation.
“We thus urge security agencies to invite him to substantiate the allegation, given its gravity and the urgent need to preserve life.
“Frank should provide any information in his possession to facilitate a prompt investigation,” the statemwnt said.
The APC campaign council categorically denied any involvement by President Bola Tinubu or the ruling party’s campaign organisation in an alleged plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
It also dismissed reports that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that he remained adequately protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, (DSS).
According to the statement, President 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.
“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised,” the council stated, adding that Atiku, as a former vice president, enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection.
It further claimed that Tinubu had increased security protection for Atiku in his capacity as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls.
The council defended Tinubu’s democratic credentials, arguing that the president recognises opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy.
It recalled that Tinubu spent 16 years as a prominent opposition figure before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in the 2015 general elections.
The statement described Frank’s allegation as an attempt by opposition figures to generate unnecessary political tension and attract public attention.
It also criticised what it characterised as a pattern of open letters and social media posts tagging foreign leaders and international organisations to draw attention to domestic political disputes.
“As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, politicians and their supporters might resort to exaggerated claims and allegations to gain electoral advantage.”
It, however, called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements are factual and responsible, urging political actors to avoid statements capable of triggering unnecessary tension, insisting that political competition should remain peaceful, lawful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians.
“Political process should not be reduced to character assassination or what it described as wild and unsubstantiated allegations,” it added.
End
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