Nigerian Government Not Planning to Assassinate Atiku—APCPCC

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCC) has denied claims by a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Timi Frank, that the Nigerian government was plotting to assassinate the presidential candidate of the ADC in the 2027 general elections, Mr Atiku Abubakar.

In a statement signed by the APCPCC spokesman, Mr Dele Alake, on Tuesday, security agencies were urged to look into the “grave allegation” by inviting Mr Frank to prove that the life of the former Vice President was under threat.

“We also urge Mr Frank not to hesitate to provide any information in his possession that will enable prompt investigation. Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation,” the statement issued on Tuesday added.

Mr Alake described as false claims that the security personnel attached to Mr Atiku have been withdrawn, stressing that the opposition politician “is well protected by the police and the Department of State Security.”

“Contrary to the falsehood promoted by Timi Frank, President Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce and increase protection for all presidential, vice-presidential, governorship, and Deputy Governorship candidates across the country.

“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised. As a former Vice President of Nigeria, he enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection. President Tinubu has increased security protection for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a Presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“President Bola Tinubu, as a statesman and an avowed democrat, recognises opposition politics as an essential part of our 27-year-old democracy. For 16 years in Nigeria, President Tinubu was the face of opposition, and he galvanised the opposition movement to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party as a governing party in Nigeria in 2015.

“Mr Frank’s claim is typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity. Many opposition figures, including Timi Frank, have made it a habit to write open letters and tag foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to draw undeserved attention to themselves.

“As we go deeper into the campaign season, politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage.

“However, we urge candidates, political parties, and supporters to be factual and responsible in public statements and avoid utterances that can trigger avoidable tension in the polity. Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations,” the statement noted.