Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has raised alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Frank made the accusation in a statement issued on Tuesday, claiming that the recent withdrawal of police personnel from VIPs is a smokescreen designed to specifically target Atiku.
The political commentator argued that the sudden removal of all police officers attached to Atiku, despite his statutory entitlement as a former vice president, is a calculated move to expose him to danger.
“No administration since 2007 has ever tampered with Atiku Abubakar’s security despite his consistent role as a major opposition figure. Why now? Why at a time when insecurity is at an all-time high across the country? This action clearly reveals an ulterior motive,” Frank stated.
He insisted that the purported nationwide security withdrawal is a facade intended to conceal the real objective of isolating the opposition leader.
“This so-called blanket withdrawal is a cover-up. The real objective is to isolate and eliminate Atiku ahead of the 2027 election. The pattern is too obvious to ignore. Atiku, by law, is entitled to police protection as a former vice president. Removing his security at this critical time is deliberate and dangerous,” he said.
Frank drew parallels between the current situation and troubling political trends across Africa, where incumbent governments have used intimidation, arrests, detention, prosecution, and even assassination to silence opposition figures and maintain power.
He challenged the Tinubu administration to demonstrate the sincerity of its security policy by extending the withdrawal to include family members, close associates, and political appointees of the president.
“President Tinubu is now following the disturbing trend in parts of Africa where incumbents use state power to silence their opponents. Atiku has been very vocal in exposing the failures of this administration, and this withdrawal of security is nothing but a political witch-hunt,” Frank asserted.
“If this directive is truly nationwide, then let the President’s family members, friends, and appointees also lose their security. They are also VIPs. But we know the truth: the main target is Atiku Abubakar, nobody else,” he added.
Atiku Abubakar, a perennial presidential contender and prominent critic of the Tinubu administration, has consistently challenged government policies on economic management, security, and governance.
As of press time, neither the Presidency nor the Nigeria Police Force has issued an official response to Frank’s allegations.
The development comes amid growing political tensions as parties and potential candidates begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
