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By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations of a plot by the Nigerian government to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, challenging African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Timi Frank to provide evidence to support his claim.
The council described the allegation as grave, insisting that any credible threat to life must be investigated, irrespective of political affiliation.
The spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake, stated this in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in response to Frank’s allegation that the government was plotting to assassinate Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate.
Alake urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate his claim, adding that he should promptly provide any information in his possession that could assist an investigation.
He said the APC campaign council categorically rejected any suggestion that President Bola Tinubu or the council was involved in a plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
Alake also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that Atiku remained protected by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
He stated that, contrary to Frank’s allegation, Tinubu had recently directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as governorship and deputy governorship candidates, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Atiku’s security arrangements had not been compromised, adding that the former vice president benefits from two levels of state-funded security protection.
Alake further said 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, the APC spokesman said Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s 27-year democratic experience.
He recalled that Tinubu had spent 16 years as a prominent opposition figure before the opposition coalition defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
Alake accused Frank of making allegations capable of heightening political tension, describing the claim as an attempt to attract public attention and gain political advantage.
He also cautioned politicians against making unsubstantiated allegations as the country moves deeper into the campaign season, warning that such statements could unnecessarily inflame the political atmosphere.
The APC campaign council urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements were factual and responsible.
Alake said political competition should remain peaceful, lawful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks and allegations capable of generating avoidable tension.
He reiterated the council’s rejection of the alleged assassination plot and called for responsible political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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