The ruling party denies any plot against the ADC presidential candidate as political tensions rise ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations of a plot to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, challenging those behind the claims to provide evidence to support their accusations.
The council described the allegation as grave and baseless, insisting that neither President Bola Tinubu nor the APC campaign council was involved in any plan to harm Atiku or any other opposition figure.
The denial followed allegations by Timi Frank, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former APC deputy national publicity secretary, who called on United States President Donald Trump and other international leaders to intervene over what he described as threats to Atiku’s life and political freedom ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the campaign council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate his claims, arguing that allegations of such gravity required credible evidence and a thorough examination.
“This is a grave allegation that Mr Frank must prove,” Alake said, calling on him to provide any information that could assist security agencies in investigating the matter.
The council also rejected claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, maintaining that the former vice-president remained protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to Alake, Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections.
He further insisted that Atiku’s security had not been compromised and that additional protection had been provided to the ADC presidential candidate.
Political tensions ahead of 2027 elections
Frank had, in an open letter dated 19 October, appealed to Trump and other international leaders, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union and the Economic Community of West African States, to engage the Nigerian government over the alleged threats.
He called for an independent investigation, expressing concern that state institutions could be used to intimidate, arrest, detain or otherwise undermine Atiku’s participation in the electoral process.
However, the APC campaign council accused Frank of making statements capable of heightening political tensions and urged politicians to exercise restraint in their public pronouncements.
Alake said political competition should remain peaceful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than allegations capable of inflaming the political atmosphere.
The controversy comes as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, with Atiku emerging as a prominent opposition figure under the ADC.
While the APC campaign council has firmly denied the allegations, the claims have raised fresh questions about political security and the protection of opposition figures as the country approaches another election cycle.
The assassination allegation has not been established by the information available in the reports cited. Frank’s claims and the APC’s denial therefore remain competing assertions, underscoring the need for any credible evidence to be examined by the appropriate authorities.
