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 and baseless.
The council also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, had been withdrawn, insisting that his security protection had not been compromised.
The position was contained in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake.
The statement followed allegations by Timi Frank, a member of the ADC, that the Nigerian Government was plotting to assassinate the former vice president.
Reacting, the council described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate his claims.
It also called on Frank to provide any information in his possession to facilitate a prompt investigation, stressing that any credible threat to life must be taken seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
The council categorically denied any involvement of President Bola Tinubu or the APC Presidential Campaign Council in an alleged plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
It maintained that the former vice president remained protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the statement, Tinubu had 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 stated that Atiku, as a former vice president, enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection, adding that his security arrangements had been strengthened ahead of the elections.
Defending Tinubu’s democratic credentials, the council said the president recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s democracy.
It recalled that Tinubu had spent 16 years as a prominent opposition figure and played a role in the political movement that led to the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
The statement described Frank’s allegation as an attempt to create political tension, accusing some opposition figures of making controversial claims and addressing open letters to foreign leaders and international organisations to attract attention.
As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, the council warned that politicians and their supporters might make unsubstantiated allegations for political advantage.
It, however, urged candidates, political parties and their supporters to make factual and responsible public statements and avoid comments capable of triggering unnecessary tension.
The council called for peaceful and lawful political competition focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than character attacks and what it described as baseless allegations.
