By Chesa Chesa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations of a plot by the Federal Government to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, describing the claim as false and baseless.
The council also said President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Tuesday, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, urged Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Atiku’s aide who raised the allegation, to provide evidence to substantiate his claim.
Alake described the allegation as grave, calling on security agencies to invite Frank for questioning and investigate any information he might possess about a possible threat to Atiku’s life.
“Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation,” he said.
The council categorically denied that the Presidency or the APC Presidential Campaign Council was involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any opposition figure.
It also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to the former vice-president had been withdrawn, insisting that he remained protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
According to Alake, Atiku, as a former vice-president, enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection, stressing that Tinubu has increased security arrangements for him in his capacity as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC campaign council said Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential component of Nigeria’s 27-year-old democracy.
It recalled that the president spent 16 years in opposition and played a prominent role in the coalition that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government in the 2015 general elections.
Alake described Frank’s allegation as political rabble-rousing intended to heighten tension, accusing some opposition figures of making sensational claims and using open letters and social media posts tagging foreign leaders and international organisations to attract attention.
He warned that political actors might resort to exaggerated statements and unsubstantiated allegations as the country moves deeper into the campaign season.
The council, however, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements were factual and responsible.
It said political competition should remain peaceful, lawful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians rather than character assassination and what it described as baseless allegations.
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