President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to increase protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship, and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The directive was disclosed by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, in a statement responding to allegations of a plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Alake stated that Tinubu ordered security agencies to reinforce protection for candidates across the country, including Atiku, to ensure safety ahead of the forthcoming polls. He maintained that the former vice president’s security arrangements remain intact, dismissing claims that personnel assigned to protect him had been withdrawn.
“The former Vice President is well-protected by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS). Contrary to the falsehood promoted by Timi Frank, President Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce and increase protection for all presidential, vice-presidential, governorship, and deputy governorship candidates across the country,” Alake said.
He added that Atiku enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection due to his status as a former vice president and a current presidential candidate.
The APC campaign council also rejected claims that the Presidency or the ruling party was involved in any plan to harm Atiku or any other opposition figure.
The response followed an allegation by Timi Frank, an ADC member, who called on United States President Donald Trump and other international leaders to intervene over alleged threats to Atiku’s safety and political participation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Frank had urged the United States, the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union, and the United Kingdom to engage the Nigerian government and seek assurances regarding the safety of opposition leaders. He also called for an independent investigation into the allegations, warning that they should not be ignored.
However, Alake described the allegations as baseless and challenged Frank to provide evidence, urging security agencies to invite him to substantiate his claims.
“These allegations must be independently and urgently investigated. Given their gravity, however, they cannot be dismissed or ignored until it is too late to prevent harm,” Alake noted.
The APC campaign council further called on politicians and their supporters to avoid unverified statements that could heighten tensions as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
