APC campaign denies plot to assassinate Atiku

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations of a plot to assassinate African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and urged security agencies to invite Timi Frank to substantiate the claim.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council rejected suggestions that the Presidency or the APC campaign was involved in any threat to the former vice-president’s life. “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,” it said.

Describing the allegation as grave, the council said Frank should provide any information in his possession to enable an investigation.

“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,” it said.

“Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.”

The council also denied claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, saying he remained protected by the police and the Department of State Services.

It said President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised. As a former Vice President of Nigeria, he enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection,” the council said.

“President Tinubu has increased security protection for Atiku Abubakar as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

The council said Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential part of Nigeria’s democracy, citing his role in the opposition coalition that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015.

It accused Frank of making allegations to attract attention and urged politicians and their supporters to avoid statements capable of heightening tension during the campaign season.

“We urge candidates, political parties, and supporters to be factual and responsible in public statements and avoid utterances that can trigger avoidable tension in the polity,” it said.

“Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations.”