The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Nigerian authorities is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The council described the allegation by Timi Frank, an ADC member and former APC deputy nationwide publicity secretary, as “grave” and challenged him to present proof to safety businesses.
In a press release on Tuesday signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the APC marketing campaign council urged safety businesses to invite Mr Frank to substantiate his declare, saying any credible menace to life ought to be handled severely no matter political affiliation.
“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,” Mr Alake mentioned.
The assertion additionally rejected claims that safety personnel hooked up to Atiku had been withdrawn.
Mr Frank had, in an open letter dated 19 October, referred to as on United States President Donald Trump and different worldwide leaders to intervene over what he described as threats to Atiku’s life and political freedom forward of the 2027 elections.
He alleged that the federal authorities might deploy state establishments to intimidate, arrest, detain or assassinate the ADC candidate and referred to as for an impartial investigation into the alleged threats.
He additionally urged the United States, the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the European Union and the United Kingdom to have interaction the Nigerian authorities and demand assurances over the security of Atiku and different opposition figures.
However, Mr Alake mentioned the previous vice chairman stays protected by the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service.
He mentioned President Bola Tinubu had lately directed safety businesses to reinforce and improve safety for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates forward of the 2027 common elections.
“The security around the ADC presidential candidate has never been compromised,” the assertion mentioned.
He additional mentioned Atiku, as a former vice chairman, enjoys two ranges of state-funded safety safety and that Mr Tinubu had elevated his safety element forward of the 2027 elections.
Mr Alake mentioned Mr Tinubu recognised opposition politics as a vital part of Nigeria’s democracy, citing his personal years in opposition earlier than the APC defeated the Peoples Democratic Party within the 2015 presidential election.
The assertion accused Mr Frank of creating allegations geared toward heating up the political environment forward of the elections.
“Mr Frank’s claim is typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity,” Mr Alake mentioned.
He alleged that Mr Frank and different opposition figures had incessantly written open letters and tagged overseas leaders and worldwide organisations on social media in an try to entice consideration.
ALSO READ: 2027: We’ll not step down for Atiku — Kwankwaso replies ADC
Mr Alake warned that because the 2027 marketing campaign season intensifies, politicians and their supporters had been doubtless to make provocative claims for political benefit.
He, nevertheless, urged political events, candidates and their supporters to make factual and accountable statements and keep away from feedback able to creating rigidity.
“Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations,” he mentioned.
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