From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has dismissed claims of a plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Council was reacting to a statement by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), who alleged that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate Atiku, the presidential candidate of the ADC.
In a press statement on Tuesday, spokesperson of the APC PCC, Dele Alake, described the allegation as grave and one that Frank must prove.
The Council urged security agencies to invite Frank to substantiate the claim given its gravity and the need to preserve life, asking him to provide any information in his possession for prompt investigation.
“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 said.
The statement described as false the narrative that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, saying the former Vice President is well protected by the police and Department of State Security.
According to the Council, President Bola Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce and increase protection for all presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It said security around the ADC presidential candidate has never been compromised, noting that as a former Vice President he enjoys two levels of state-funded protection, which has been increased as a presidential candidate.
The Council said President Tinubu, as a statesman and democrat, recognises opposition as essential part of democracy, recalling that he was the face of the opposition for 16 years and galvanised movement that defeated PDP in 2015.
It said Frank’s claim is typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity, alleging that many opposition figures have made it a habit to write open letters and tag foreign leaders and international organisations to draw attention.
“As we go deeper into the campaign season, politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage,” the statement said, urging candidates, parties and supporters to be factual, and focus on issues that matter to Nigerians and avoid utterances that can trigger tension.
