The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. It insists that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate remains under state-funded security protection ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, rejected the allegation in a statement dated October 20, 2026, while challenging Timi Frank, an ADC member who made the claim, to provide evidence to support it.
Alake called on security agencies to investigate the allegation, saying any credible threat to life should receive serious attention regardless of political affiliation.
The statement, however, did not provide independent evidence to establish the security arrangements currently in place around Atiku or confirm whether security agencies had opened an investigation into Frank’s claim.
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APC disputes claim of security withdrawal
The campaign council specifically denied reports that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn.
According to Alake, the former vice-president receives protection from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS). He also claimed that Atiku benefits from two levels of state-funded security coverage because of his former position and current status as a presidential candidate.
Alake further stated that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised,” he said.
However, the statement did not identify the specific security units assigned to Atiku or provide details of the alleged reinforcement. The authorities have yet to provide independent confirmation within the information available for this report.
Campaign council challenges Frank
The APC council described Frank’s allegation as serious and called on him to submit any information in his possession to the relevant security agencies.
It maintained that accusations involving a possible threat to a political figure’s life should be investigated rather than allowed to fuel public tension.
Alake, however, accused opposition figures of making sensational claims to attract attention and gain political advantage. He characterised Frank’s statement as an attempt to heighten political tension, although he presented no evidence in the statement to establish that motive.
The council also rejected any suggestion that Tinubu’s administration or the APC campaign organisation would participate in a plot against Atiku or another opposition figure.
Tinubu’s opposition history cited
In defending the president, Alake pointed to Tinubu’s political history as an opposition figure before the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections.
He said Tinubu understood the importance of opposition politics because he had helped mobilise political forces against the PDP during its years in power.
The campaign council urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory public statements and concentrate on issues affecting Nigerians.
Security claims require clear answers
The dispute places political security under scrutiny as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Allegations of threats against candidates can create public anxiety, particularly when they involve claims of state involvement. At the same time, an allegation of this gravity requires evidence, while a denial from an interested political organisation does not independently settle the facts.
The key questions are whether Frank possesses verifiable information supporting his claim, whether the relevant security agencies have assessed any threat to Atiku and whether the authorities can clarify the protection arrangements for presidential candidates.
Neither the allegation nor the campaign council’s denial should be treated as conclusive proof without independent verification.
The immediate responsibility rests with the appropriate security authorities to assess any credible evidence and communicate relevant findings without compromising legitimate security operations.
With the next general elections approaching, transparent investigations and responsible political communication will be essential to maintaining public confidence in the safety of candidates and the integrity of the electoral process.
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