APC Denies Plot to Assassinate Atiku

….Challenges Timi Frank to Provide Evidence

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations of a plot by the Nigerian Government to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as false and challenging its author, Timi Frank, to provide evidence.
The council also denied reports that security personnel attached to Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, had been withdrawn, insisting that his protection remained intact.
Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, stated this in a press release issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Alake urged security agencies to invite Frank, an ADC member, to substantiate his allegation, stressing that any credible threat to life should be investigated promptly, irrespective of political affiliation.
“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,” he said.
According to the council, Atiku continues to enjoy security protection from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
It further claimed that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates nationwide ahead of the 2027 elections.
The council said Tinubu had also increased security protection for Atiku, noting that the former vice president benefits from two levels of state-funded security arrangements.
Alake described Frank’s allegation as an attempt to create political tension, accusing some opposition figures of making unsubstantiated claims to attract public and international attention.
He argued that Tinubu recognised the importance of opposition politics to Nigeria’s democracy, recalling the president’s role in the opposition movement that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
The APC campaign spokesperson warned that political activities ahead of the 2027 elections could generate more allegations and provocative statements as parties compete for public support.
He therefore appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements were factual and responsible.
Alake said political competition should remain peaceful, lawful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than what he described as baseless allegations and character assassination.
The statement did not provide independent evidence to establish the extent of Atiku’s current security arrangements or the reported increase in his protection.
The allegation attributed to Frank and the APC council’s response come as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with security and political stability expected to remain important issues in the campaign season.