The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Nigerian government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, challenging African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Timi Frank to provide evidence to support his claim.
The council described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank for questioning to establish the basis of his assertion, stressing the need for any potential threat to life to be investigated promptly.
The position was contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga on his verified X handle on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, on behalf of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The statement followed claims by Frank that the Nigerian government was allegedly plotting to assassinate Atiku, who is the ADC’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council said Frank should provide any information in his possession to assist security agencies in investigating the allegation.
It stated: “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.”
The council added that any credible threat to life should be treated seriously, regardless of the political affiliation of the person involved.
It also categorically rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration or the APC Presidential Campaign Council was involved in any plan to assassinate Atiku or another opposition figure.
The campaign council also dismissed reports that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, describing the claims as false.
According to the statement, Atiku continues to receive protection from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The council further claimed that Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised,” the statement said.
It added that Atiku, as a former vice president, enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection, claiming that the president had increased security arrangements for him in his capacity as a presidential candidate.
The council maintained that the administration recognises the importance of opposition politics and considers it an essential component of Nigeria’s democratic system.
In defending the president’s position on opposition politics, the council pointed to Tinubu’s political history before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
It stated that Tinubu spent 16 years as a prominent opposition figure and helped galvanise opposition forces against the PDP, which had governed Nigeria for 16 years.
The council argued that Tinubu understands the role of political opposition in a democratic society and rejected suggestions that his administration would seek to eliminate political rivals.
It also criticised Frank’s allegation, describing it as an attempt to generate political tension and attract public attention.
According to the statement, some opposition figures have repeatedly written open letters and tagged foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts in what the council portrayed as efforts to gain publicity.
The council warned that political competition could become more intense as the country approaches the 2027 general elections, with politicians and their supporters potentially making controversial claims to gain political advantage.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint in their public communications and avoid statements capable of heightening political tensions.
It urged political actors to ensure that allegations are supported by facts and that disagreements are addressed through lawful and peaceful means.
The council also called for the political debate ahead of the next general elections to focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks and unsubstantiated accusations.
It said: “Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations.”
The statement comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties and their potential candidates increasingly engaging in public exchanges over issues surrounding the forthcoming polls.
