The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has challenged African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Timi Frank to substantiate his allegation of a plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The council made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, while rejecting claims that the Nigerian Government was planning to assassinate Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate.
Alake urged security agencies to invite Frank to provide evidence to support the allegation, describing it as a grave claim requiring urgent investigation.
“This is a grave allegation that Mr Frank must prove,” the statement said, adding that any credible threat to life should be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
The council also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, insisting that the former vice president remained under police and Department of State Services (DSS) protection.
According to Alake, President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that Atiku’s security arrangements had not been compromised, claiming that the former vice president enjoyed two levels of state-funded protection.
The APC campaign council further stated that Tinubu, having experienced opposition politics for 16 years before the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost power in 2015, understood the importance of political opposition in Nigeria’s democracy.
Alake accused Frank of making allegations capable of heightening political tension, describing his claim as an attempt to gain political attention.
He also warned politicians and their supporters against making unsubstantiated claims as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.
The council called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint in public statements and focus on issues affecting 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,” the statement added.