The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the administration of President Bola Tinubu plots to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a press release dated Tuesday, 20 October, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council dismissed claims that safety personnel hooked up to Atiku had been withdrawn.
It maintained that the previous vice-president continued to obtain police and State Security Service (SSS) safety, including that President Bola Tinubu had directed safety companies to strengthen safety for candidates contesting the 2027 normal elections.
“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 assertion mentioned.
The council didn’t present particulars of the directive or supporting proof of modifications to Mr Atiku’s safety preparations.
APC challenges Timi Frank
The denial adopted allegations by a politician, Timi Frank, that the federal authorities was plotting to assassinate Mr Atiku.
Mr Frank had reportedly raised issues concerning the former vice-president’s security and known as for worldwide consideration to the alleged menace.
Responding, the marketing campaign council challenged him to substantiate his allegations and urged safety companies to analyze.
“This is a grave allegation that Mr Frank must prove,” it mentioned.
“We thus urge security agencies to invite him to substantiate the allegation, given its gravity and the urgent need to preserve life.”
The council rejected any suggestion that the Presidency or APC marketing campaign officers had been concerned in a plot against Mr Atiku or different opposition figures.
It additionally accused Mr Frank of creating inflammatory allegations for political consideration, urging political actors to keep away from statements able to heightening tensions forward of the elections.
Atiku-linked US lobbyist raises concern
Meanwhile, a United States-based lobbying agency related to Atiku has expressed concern over the allegation, saying it intends to convey the matter to the eye of President Donald Trump’s administration and the US Congress.
In a post on X, the account @batten_von described reviews alleging that the Nigerian Presidency was plotting to assassinate the previous vice-president as troubling.
“Dr. Von Batten fully intends to bring these latest allegations against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to the attention of the Trump Administration and Congress,” the submit said.
The account additionally warned of attainable diplomatic penalties ought to any political assassination happen.
The lobbying agency, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has beforehand been linked to Mr Atiku via a US authorities lobbying disclosure.
According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, the agency was engaged underneath an settlement reportedly valued at $1.2 million yearly to supply authorities affairs and strategic advisory providers.
The submit additionally referred to an alleged $9 million Washington engagement and $700 billion in mineral assets with out offering supporting documentation for these figures.
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There is not any affirmation that the agency has formally submitted the assassination allegation to the Trump administration or Congress, or that both has initiated an investigation.
Questions over safety preparations
Although the APC marketing campaign council mentioned Atiku’s safety had been strengthened, it didn’t specify when the reported presidential directive was issued or the way it had been carried out.
The allegation of an assassination plot has not been independently substantiated, and the fabric out there doesn’t set up any involvement by the Nigerian authorities.
The competing claims underscore the necessity for safety companies to make clear the safety preparations for presidential candidates and examine any credible threats forward of the 2027 elections.
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