The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has rejected claims that the Nigerian Government was plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said it had noted the allegation made by Timi Frank, a member of the ADC, and described it as a grave accusation that must be proved.
The Council urged security agencies to invite Mr Frank to substantiate the claim, citing its seriousness and the need to preserve life.
It also asked him to promptly share any information he has to enable a swift investigation, stressing that any credible threat to life must be treated seriously regardless 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,” the statement said.
The Council also dismissed reports that security personnel attached to the former Vice President had been withdrawn, describing them as totally false.
According to the statement, Atiku is well protected by the police and the Department of State Security.
It added that President Bola Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce and increase protection for all presidential, vice presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates nationwide.
The Council said the security around the ADC candidate has never been compromised. As a former Vice President, it noted, he enjoys two levels of state-funded protection, and President Tinubu has further increased his security cover as a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Describing the President as a statesman and an avowed democrat, the Council said he regards opposition politics as an essential part of Nigeria’s 27-year-old democracy.
It recalled that for 16 years Tinubu was the face of opposition and galvanised the movement that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party as the governing party in 2015.
The statement characterised Mr Frank’s claim as typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity.
It alleged that many opposition figures, including Frank, have made a habit of writing open letters and tagging foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to draw undeserved attention to themselves.
The Council predicted that as the campaign season deepens, politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage.
It therefore urged candidates, political parties and supporters to be factual and responsible in their public statements and to avoid utterances that could trigger avoidable tension.
According to the Council, political competition should be peaceful, lawful and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, rather than character assassination or wild, baseless allegations.
