APC Dismisses Alleged Plot to Assassinate Atiku, Challenges Timi Frank to Provide Evidence

APC Dismisses Alleged Plot to Assassinate Atiku, Challenges Timi Frank to Provide Evidence

By Gabriel Kekong

Abuja (Core Reporters) — The All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations of a plot to assassinate former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s 2027 Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging party chieftain, Timi Frank, to provide evidence to substantiate his claim.

The council described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Frank for questioning, stressing that any credible threat to life must be investigated, irrespective of political affiliation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council categorically denied that the Presidency or the APC Presidential Campaign Council was involved in any plan to assassinate Atiku or any other opposition figure.

It also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice president had been withdrawn, insisting that his security arrangements remained intact.

According to the council, Atiku continues to enjoy police and Department of State Services (DSS) protection, adding that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as governorship and deputy governorship candidates, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised,” the statement said, adding that Atiku, as a former vice president, enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection.

The council further claimed that Tinubu had increased security protection for Atiku in his capacity as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

Calling on Frank to cooperate with security agencies, the APC campaign council said he should provide any information in his possession that could assist investigators in establishing the facts surrounding the allegation.

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

The council defended Tinubu’s democratic credentials, arguing that the President recognises opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s 27-year-old democracy.

It recalled Tinubu’s role in opposition politics before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections, describing him as a longstanding advocate of political competition.

However, the council accused Frank and other opposition figures of making inflammatory statements and unsubstantiated allegations to attract public attention and gain political advantage.

It also criticised the practice of issuing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts, alleging that some opposition figures use such tactics to draw attention to themselves.

The council warned that as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, candidates, political parties and their supporters must exercise restraint and avoid statements capable of heightening political tension.

It urged political actors to focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than what it described as character assassination and baseless allegations.

The statement reaffirmed the council’s position that political competition should remain peaceful, lawful and issue-driven.

However, the council’s denial does not, in itself, establish whether the allegation made by Frank is true or false. Any evidence he provides, alongside an independent assessment by the relevant security agencies, would be necessary to determine the credibility of the claim.