ABUJA, Nigeria — The All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council has denied allegations that the Nigerian government is planning to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The council also called for an investigation into the accusation made by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has named Atiku as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, rejected suggestions that President Bola Tinubu’s administration or the ruling party’s campaign organisation was involved in any threat against the opposition politician.
“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.
APC Disputes Claims About Atiku’s Security
The campaign council also challenged allegations that government security officers assigned to Atiku had been withdrawn.
According to Alake, the former vice president continues to receive protection from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The council maintained that Atiku was entitled to two levels of publicly funded security because of his former office and said additional protection had been provided in connection with his presidential candidacy.
“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised,” the statement said.
Alake further asserted that Tinubu had instructed security agencies to strengthen protection for candidates contesting the presidency, vice-presidency, governorships, and deputy governorships in the forthcoming general elections.
The council presented those measures as evidence that the government remained committed to protecting political candidates regardless of party affiliation.
Council Calls for Investigation Into Frank’s Claims
Although the campaign council dismissed the assassination allegation, it said the seriousness of the accusation warranted examination by the appropriate authorities.
It urged security agencies to summon Frank and obtain whatever evidence he might possess concerning the alleged threat.
“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 asked Frank to make available any information that could assist investigators.
It maintained that threats against political figures should receive attention from security authorities irrespective of their party membership.
Tinubu’s Opposition Record Cited
In defending Tinubu against the accusation, the campaign council referred to his political activities before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 presidential election.
Alake said Tinubu had spent 16 years as a leading opposition figure and had helped organise the political movement that brought the APC to power.
The council argued that this history demonstrated the president’s recognition of opposition politics within Nigeria’s democratic system.
It also accused Frank of making allegations intended to generate publicity and intensify political disagreements ahead of the elections.
“Mr Frank’s claim is typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity,” the statement said.
The campaign council additionally criticised opposition politicians who, it said, frequently sought international attention through public letters and appeals directed at foreign leaders and organisations.
It warned that increasingly contentious statements by political actors and their supporters could aggravate tensions during the election campaign.
The council concluded by urging candidates and political parties to avoid unsupported accusations and conduct their campaigns peacefully, within the law, and with attention to issues affecting Nigerians.
