By Stella Odueme
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as false and unsubstantiated.
The council urged Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who made the allegation, to provide evidence to support his claim.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, the council called on security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate the allegation, stressing that any credible threat to life must be taken seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
It also urged Frank to provide any information in his possession that could assist security agencies in conducting a prompt investigation.
The council categorically denied that President Bola Tinubu or the APC Presidential Campaign Council was involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
It also dismissed reports that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that he remained protected by the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the statement, Tinubu had recently directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country.
The council maintained that Atiku's security arrangements had not been compromised, noting that he enjoyed two levels of state-funded security protection as a former vice president.
It added that Tinubu had further increased security protection for Atiku in his capacity as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement described Tinubu as a statesman and committed democrat who recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria's democracy.
It recalled that Tinubu spent 16 years as a prominent opposition figure and helped galvanise opposition forces that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election.
The council accused Frank and other opposition figures of making sensational claims to attract public attention, describing the allegation as an attempt to heat up the polity.
It further alleged that some opposition figures had resorted to writing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to gain what it called undeserved attention.
As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, the council warned that politicians and their supporters might make exaggerated statements and unsubstantiated allegations for political advantage.
It, however, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements remained factual and responsible.
The council called for peaceful and lawful political competition focused on issues affecting Nigerians, rather than character attacks and unsubstantiated allegations.