No plot to kill Atiku, APC campaign council declares
APC Campaign Council Denies Assassination Plot Against Atiku Abubakar
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA — The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has refuted claims of an assassination plot against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The council emphasized that Abubakar’s security details remain intact.
This response comes after Timi Frank, a member of the ADC, accused the APC of conspiring against Abubakar. In a statement released on Tuesday, Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC-PCC, described Frank’s allegations as unfounded and called for verification.
“We categorically reject the claim that the presidency or the APC Campaign Council is involved in any plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any opposition figure,” Alake stated. He urged security agencies to investigate Frank’s accusations due to their serious nature.
The council further asserted that claims regarding the withdrawal of Atiku’s security personnel are false. “He is well protected by the police and the Department of State Security (DSS),” Alake said, adding that President Bola Tinubu has directed security forces to enhance protection for all current presidential and gubernatorial candidates as the 2027 elections approach.
They described the notion that Abubakar’s safety has been compromised as misleading, pointing out that, as a former vice president, he is entitled to state-funded security protections. Alake noted that Tinubu has ensured that Abubakar receives heightened security as part of his campaign efforts.
The APC-PCC maintained that it takes threats to life seriously and encouraged Frank to present any relevant information that could aid in a thorough investigation. “Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation,” the statement said.
The council characterized Frank’s remarks as part of a broader pattern of opposition rhetoric intended to stir political unrest. It suggested that such claims foster division, rather than constructive political dialogue and called on all political actors to act responsibly.
Meanwhile, Timi Frank expressed concerns over alleged attempts to intimidate Abubakar through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In an open letter to U.S. President Joe Biden and other global leaders, he urged for international attention and intervention regarding threats to Abubakar’s life and political autonomy.
Frank, who holds positions in the United Liberation Movement for West Papua and the Global Friendship City Association in the U.S., insisted that his allegations warrant urgent and independent inquiry. He cautioned against using the EFCC as a tool for political persecution and underscored the necessity of safeguarding opposition figures in a democracy.
“The protection of political opposition is a fundamental obligation of every democratic state,” he stated.
