Tinubu’s Campaign Council Denies Plot To Assassinate Atiku, Says ADC Candidate’s Security Has Been Increased | Sahara Reporters

The council was reacting to allegations by Timi Frank, a member of the ADC, who claimed that the Nigerian government was planning to assassinate Atiku.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Nigerian government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate enjoys adequate security protection.

The council was reacting to allegations by Timi Frank, a member of the ADC, who claimed that the Nigerian government was planning to assassinate Atiku.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the APC Presidential Campaign Council described the allegation as grave and challenged Frank to provide evidence to substantiate it.

“Our attention has been drawn to the statement by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress, alleging that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the ADC,” the statement read.

“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 council also urged Frank to provide any information in his possession that could assist security agencies in investigating the allegation.

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

The APC campaign council categorically denied that President Bola Tinubu’s administration or the ruling party’s campaign organisation was involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any other opposition figure.

“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,” the statement said.

Addressing claims that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, the council described the reports as false, insisting that Atiku remained protected by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“The narrative that the security personnel attached to former Vice President Atiku have been withdrawn is totally false. The former Vice President is well protected by the police and the Department of State Security,” it stated.

The council further claimed that Tinubu had recently directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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,” the statement read.

It also maintained that Atiku’s security arrangements had not been compromised, arguing that his status as a former vice president entitled him to two levels of state-funded security protection.

“As a former Vice President of Nigeria, he enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection,” the council said.

It added that Tinubu had increased security protection for Atiku in his capacity as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC campaign council also defended Tinubu’s record on opposition politics, describing him as a statesman and democrat who recognised the importance of political competition.

According to the statement, Tinubu spent 16 years as an opposition figure and helped mobilise opposition forces that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.

The council, however, criticised Frank’s allegation, describing it as an attempt by opposition figures to create political tension and attract public attention.

“Mr Frank’s claim is typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity,” the statement said.

It also accused some opposition figures of using open letters and social media posts tagging foreign leaders and international organisations to attract attention.

The council warned that political parties and their supporters could make increasingly controversial statements as the 2027 campaign season approached.

It urged politicians to ensure that their public statements were factual and responsible, warning against allegations capable of triggering unnecessary tension.

“However, 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,” the statement 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.”