WorldStage– Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals and APC Presidential Campaign Council Spokesperson, Dr. Dele Alake has called on security agencies to invite Mr. Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over his allegation that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the ADC.
In a statement titled “THERE IS NO PLOT TO ASSASSINATE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT ATIKU ABUBAKAR,” issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 by the Alake, he said: “Our attention has been drawn to the statement by Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress, alleging that the Nigerian Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the ADC.
“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.
“We also urge Mr Frank not to hesitate to provide any information in his possession that will enable prompt investigation. Any credible threat to life must be treated seriously, irrespective of political affiliation.
“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.”
According to the Minister, the narrative that the security personnel attached to former Vice President Atiku have been withdrawn is totally false, clarifying that the former Vice President is well protected by the police and the Department of State Security.
He said contrary to the falsehood promoted by Timi Frank, 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 affirmed that the security around the ADC Presidential candidate has never been compromised, and that as a former Vice President of Nigeria, he enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection.
Further disclosing the priority given to Atiku’s security, he said President Tinubu has increased security protection for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a Presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“President Bola Tinubu, as a statesman and an avowed democrat, recognises opposition politics as an essential part of our 27-year-old democracy.
“For 16 years in Nigeria, President Tinubu was the face of opposition, and he galvanised the opposition movement to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party as a governing party in Nigeria in 2015,” he added.
Dismissing Mr Frank’s claim as typical opposition rabble-rousing meant to heat the polity, the Minister maintained that many opposition figures, including Timi Frank, have made it a habit to write open letters and tag foreign leaders and international organisations in social media posts to draw undeserved attention to themselves.
“As we go deeper into the campaign season, politicians and supporters will continue to make outlandish statements and frivolous allegations to gain political advantage,” Alake stated.
However, he urged candidates, political parties, and supporters to be factual and responsible in public statements and avoid utterances that can trigger avoidable tension in the polity.
“Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations,” he further advised.
