Spokesperson APC Presidential Campaign Council
APC Presidential Campaign has refuted the allegation by a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Timi Frank that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President and the Presidential candidate of the ADC, Alhaji.Atiku Abubakar.
The Presidential Campaign Council in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr Dele Alake therefore called on security agents to invite the person making allegation for interrogation to prove genuineness of his findings for prompt actions to be taken.
“Our attention has been drawn to the statement by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress, alleging that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the ADC.
“This is a grave allegation that Mr Frank must prove. We thus urge security agencies to invite him to substantiate the allegation, given its gravity and the urgent need to preserve life. We also urge Mr Frank not to hesitate to provide any information in his possession that will enable prompt investigation. Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation,” Alake said.
However, rejecting the allegation, the APC Presidential Campaign Council, insisted that neither the Presidency nor the Campaign Council is involved in any plot to assassinate the ADC Presidential candidate or any opposition member.
“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,” Alake stated.
On the allegation of withdrawal of security attached to Atiku, the APC Presidential Campaign Council said Frank’s claim is white lie because the security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised just as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has directed that security agencies should reinforce and boost protection around every top contestants from all party in the coming election.
“The narrative that the security personnel attached to former Vice President Atiku have been withdrawn is totally false. The former Vice President is well protected by the police and the Department of State Security. Contrary to the falsehood promoted by Timi Frank, 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 security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised. As a former Vice President of Nigeria, he enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection. President Tinubu has increased security protection for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a Presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.” Alake explained.
Describing Frank’s claim on akleged assassination aa a typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity, Alake said, “many opposition figures, including Timi Frank, have made it a habit to write open letters and tag foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to draw undeserved attention to themselves.”
As the nation goes deeper into the campaign season, Alake who noted that politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage, therefore urged candidates, political parties, and supporters to be factual and responsible in public statements and avoid utterances that can trigger avoidable tension in the polity.
He therefore called on opposition to be peaceful and lawful in political competition, avoid character assassination and focus more on issues that matter to Nigerians.
“Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations,” Alake appealed.
