The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations claiming the Presidency is orchestrating a plot to assassinate the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, dismissed the allegations in a press statement on Tuesday, countering reports that security personnel attached to the former vice-president had been withdrawn. He clarified that Atiku continues to receive standard police and State Security Service (SSS) protection across all his engagements.
The campaign council also stated that President Bola Tinubu has issued directives to national security agencies to scale up protection for all contesting candidates ahead of the 2027 general 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”, Alake.
The denial came after allegations made by political activist Timi Frank, reportedly raised alarms over Atiku’s safety and demanded international intervention. Challenging the claims, the campaign council urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate his accusations.
“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,” the APC council stated.
Meanwhile, a United States-based lobbying firm linked to the former vice-president, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has expressed concern over the development. In a statement posted on X via the handle @batten_von, the firm declared its intention to bring the assassination allegations to the attention of President Donald Trump’s administration and the US Congress.
According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, the lobbying firm was previously engaged under an agreement valued at $1.2 million annually to provide government affairs and strategic advisory services for Atiku.
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