•Tells security agencies to invite accuser, investigate allegation

By BONIFACE AKARAH

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging security agencies to invite the accuser, Timi Frank, to substantiate his claims.

In a statement dated October 20, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council described the allegation by Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as grave and called for an investigation, stressing that any credible threat to life must be treated seriously regardless of political affiliation.

“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 statement said.

The council also urged Frank to provide any information in his possession that could assist investigators in establishing the facts.

“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 stated.

The APC campaign council further dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, insisting that the ADC presidential candidate remained protected by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

It said President Bola Tinubu had 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 statement said, adding that Atiku, as a former vice president, enjoyed two levels of state-funded security protection.

According to the council, Tinubu had also increased security protection for Atiku in his capacity as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC campaign council defended Tinubu’s democratic credentials, arguing that he recognised opposition politics as an essential part of Nigeria’s democratic system.

It recalled Tinubu’s role in opposition politics before the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election, saying he had spent 16 years as a prominent opposition figure.

However, the council accused Frank of making statements capable of heightening political tension, describing the assassination allegation as an attempt to attract attention and gain political advantage.

“Mr Frank's claim is typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity,” the statement said.

The council also criticised what it described as a pattern of opposition figures writing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to attract attention.

It warned that the campaign season could bring more allegations and provocative statements from politicians and their supporters, urging all sides to exercise restraint.

“As we go deeper into the campaign season, politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage,” the statement said.

The APC campaign council called on candidates, political parties and their supporters to ensure that public statements remained factual and responsible, warning against utterances that could trigger avoidable tension.

It urged political actors to keep the contest peaceful, lawful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than what it described as character assassination and baseless allegations.