Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has raised concerns over an alleged plot to threaten the life and political freedom of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, prompting the APC Presidential Campaign Council to deny any plan to target the opposition figure.
Frank, in an open letter to United States President Donald Trump and other international leaders, called for diplomatic intervention ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that any attempt to intimidate or detain opposition figures could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
He expressed concern over alleged plans to arrest or detain Atiku in a manner that could disrupt his participation in the electoral process.
Frank specifically alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could be used to initiate proceedings against the former vice president, potentially resulting in his arrest and prolonged detention during the election campaign.
He urged the United States, the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union and the United Kingdom to engage the Nigerian government and seek assurances on the safety and political rights of opposition leaders.
“These allegations must be independently and urgently investigated. Given their gravity, however, they cannot be dismissed or ignored until it is too late to prevent harm,” Frank said.
He clarified that his concerns were not intended to shield Atiku from legitimate investigations but to ensure that law enforcement agencies operate independently and without political interference.
“The concern is not that Atiku Abubakar should be placed above the law. The concern is that the law must never be placed at the service of political persecution,” he said.
Frank also questioned what he described as the selective application of anti-corruption laws and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the judiciary to demonstrate impartiality in the run-up to the elections.
He further called on international partners to support credible and independent election observation missions, with particular attention to political violence, voter intimidation, restrictions on campaigns and the conduct of security agencies.
“The test of Nigeria’s democracy is not whether the government protects its allies, but whether it protects the rights of those who challenge it,” he added.
APC campaign council rejects allegation
However, the APC Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed Frank’s claims, insisting that neither the Presidency nor the council is involved in any plot to assassinate Atiku or target any opposition figure.
In a statement on Tuesday, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, described the allegation as grave and called on security agencies to invite Frank to provide evidence to support his claims.
“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,” Alake said.
He stressed that any credible threat to life should be treated seriously, regardless of political affiliation.
The council also denied claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, maintaining that the former vice president continued to enjoy protection from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to Alake, President Bola Tinubu recently directed security agencies to strengthen protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates across the country.
He said Atiku, as a former vice president, benefits from two levels of state-funded security protection, adding that his security arrangements had been reinforced ahead of the 2027 elections.
Alake also defended Tinubu’s record on opposition politics, describing the president as a statesman and democrat who recognises the importance of political competition.
He cited Tinubu’s role in the opposition movement that unseated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power in 2015 as evidence of his commitment to democratic competition.
The council accused Frank and other opposition figures of making unsubstantiated claims to attract public attention and gain political advantage.
It urged politicians and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements are factual and responsible, warning that unverified allegations could heighten political tension.
The council called for peaceful and lawful political competition focused on issues affecting Nigerians, rather than what it described as baseless allegations.
