The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has rejected allegations that the Federal Government or the ruling party is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the claim as a grave allegation that must be substantiated with evidence.
The council’s position followed an allegation by Timi Frank, an ADC member and former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, who raised concerns about the safety and political freedom of Atiku ahead of the 2027 general elections. Frank reportedly appealed to United States President Donald Trump and other international leaders to intervene over what he described as an alleged threat to Atiku.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by Dele Alake, spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, the council challenged Frank to provide whatever evidence or information he possesses to the relevant security agencies.
The council stressed that any credible threat to the life of a political figure should be taken seriously, irrespective of political affiliation, but insisted that an allegation as serious as an assassination plot must be supported by verifiable evidence capable of triggering an investigation.
“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 council stated.
APC Rejects Claim That Atiku Lost Security Protection
The campaign council also dismissed reports that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn.
According to the council, the former vice president continues to receive security protection from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS). It further stated that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The claim of strengthened security arrangements is consistent with reports published in August that the DSS had intensified protective measures around presidential candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The reported arrangement was said to extend beyond the leading contenders to other presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as governorship candidates and their deputies.
The APC campaign council therefore maintained that Atiku's security has not been compromised and that, as a former vice president and current presidential candidate, he remains under state security protection.
APC Accuses Opposition of “Rabble-Rousing”
Alake also defended President Tinubu’s democratic credentials, arguing that the President understands the importance of opposition politics in Nigeria’s democracy.
The council recalled Tinubu’s lengthy history as an opposition politician before the APC’s historic defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election.
It described Frank’s allegation as typical opposition “rabble-rousing” designed to heat up the political atmosphere and generate political attention.
The council further accused some opposition figures, including Frank, of using open letters addressed to foreign leaders and international organisations as a means of attracting international attention to domestic political disputes.
APC Calls for Responsible Campaigning
With political activities intensifying ahead of the 2027 elections, the APC campaign council warned that politicians and their supporters would likely continue making strong claims and counterclaims in pursuit of political advantage.
It nevertheless appealed to candidates, political parties and supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements are factual, responsible and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
The council said political competition should remain peaceful and lawful, urging politicians to concentrate on the issues that matter most to Nigerians rather than engaging in character assassination or what it described as wild and baseless allegations.
The controversy comes as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 electoral cycle, with Atiku and President Tinubu emerging as major figures in an increasingly competitive political landscape.
For now, the APC’s position is unequivocal: there is no assassination plot against Atiku Abubakar, and those making such allegations should provide evidence to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
— Dele Alake, Spokesperson, APC Presidential Campaign Council, October 20, 2026.
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