The APC Presidential Campaign Council says Atiku Abubakar remains under police and DSS protection and challenges ADC chieftain Timi Frank to provide evidence supporting his claim of a threat to the former vice-president’s life.
By Wapcodehub9ja LIVE News Desk
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has rejected allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is plotting to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, saying the opposition presidential candidate’s security arrangements remain in place ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, disclosed the position in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in response to allegations raised by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former APC deputy national publicity secretary.
Alake said the council categorically rejected any suggestion that the Presidency or the APC campaign structure was involved in a plan to assassinate Atiku or any other opposition figure.
He described the allegation as serious and called on security agencies to invite Frank to provide evidence and information that could assist an investigation.
The spokesperson stressed that any credible threat to life should be treated seriously, regardless of political affiliation.
Tinubu directs stronger protection for candidates
According to Alake, Tinubu has directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The council also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn.
Alake maintained that the former vice-president continues to receive protection from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said Atiku benefits from two levels of state-funded security protection because of his former position as vice-president and his status as a presidential candidate.
The council insisted that the security arrangements around the ADC candidate had not been compromised and said the President had increased his protection ahead of the elections.
Timi Frank raises concerns over Atiku’s safety
Frank had raised concerns about Atiku’s safety and political freedom in an open letter dated October 19, 2026, addressed to United States President Donald Trump and other international leaders.
In the letter, he alleged that Nigerian government institutions could be used to intimidate, arrest, detain or assassinate the former vice-president.
He called for international attention to the alleged threats and urged foreign governments and multilateral organisations to engage the Nigerian authorities over the safety of Atiku and other opposition figures.
Frank also questioned the potential use of state institutions against political opponents as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The allegations have not been independently substantiated in the available reports. The APC campaign council has denied involvement in any plot and challenged Frank to submit evidence to the relevant security agencies.
APC calls for responsible political engagement
Alake defended Tinubu’s democratic credentials, recalling the President’s years in opposition before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 presidential election.
He argued that opposition politics remains an important part of Nigeria’s democratic system and urged political parties and their supporters to avoid statements capable of escalating tensions.
The council also criticised what it described as politically motivated allegations intended to attract attention and influence public opinion ahead of the elections.
It called on political actors to keep their competition peaceful and lawful and to focus on issues affecting Nigerians.
With the 2027 election approaching, the competing statements have brought renewed attention to the protection of presidential candidates and the responsibility of security agencies to respond to credible threats without political discrimination.
The immediate issues remain the council’s assurance that Atiku’s security has not been compromised and Frank’s call for attention to the alleged threat. Any further investigation or evidence presented to the authorities will be important in establishing the facts.
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