APC denies assassination plot against Atiku as US lobbyist raises alarm

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the administration of President Bola Tinubu plots to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement dated Tuesday, 20 October, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn.

It maintained that the former vice-president continued to receive police and State Security Service (SSS) protection, adding that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for candidates contesting 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,” the statement said.

The council did not provide details of the directive or supporting evidence of changes to Mr Atiku’s security arrangements.

APC challenges Timi Frank

The denial followed allegations by a politician, Timi Frank, that the federal government was plotting to assassinate Mr Atiku.

Mr Frank had reportedly raised concerns about the former vice-president’s safety and called for international attention to the alleged threat.

Responding, the campaign council challenged him to substantiate his allegations and urged security agencies to investigate.

“This is a grave allegation that Mr Frank must prove,” it said.

“We thus urge security agencies to invite him to substantiate the allegation, given its gravity and the urgent need to preserve life.”

The council rejected any suggestion that the Presidency or APC campaign officials were involved in a plot against Mr Atiku or other opposition figures.

It also accused Mr Frank of making inflammatory allegations for political attention, urging political actors to avoid statements capable of heightening tensions ahead of the elections.

Atiku-linked US lobbyist raises concern

Meanwhile, a United States-based lobbying firm associated with Atiku has expressed concern over the allegation, saying it intends to bring the matter to the attention of President Donald Trump’s administration and the US Congress.

In a post on X, the account @batten_von described reports alleging that the Nigerian Presidency was plotting to assassinate the former vice-president as troubling.

“Dr. Von Batten fully intends to bring these latest allegations against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to the attention of the Trump Administration and Congress,” the post stated.

The account also warned of possible diplomatic consequences should any political assassination occur.

The lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has previously been linked to Mr Atiku through a US government lobbying disclosure.

According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, the firm was engaged under an agreement reportedly valued at $1.2 million annually to provide government affairs and strategic advisory services.

The post also referred to an alleged $9 million Washington engagement and $700 billion in mineral resources without providing supporting documentation for those figures.

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There is no confirmation that the firm has formally submitted the assassination allegation to the Trump administration or Congress, or that either has initiated an investigation.

Questions over security arrangements
Although the APC campaign council said Atiku’s security had been strengthened, it did not specify when the reported presidential directive was issued or how it had been implemented.

The allegation of an assassination plot has not been independently substantiated, and the material available does not establish any involvement by the Nigerian government.

The competing claims underscore the need for security agencies to clarify the protection arrangements for presidential candidates and investigate any credible threats ahead of the 2027 elections.