Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has alleged that there is a plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections. Frank made the claim on Tuesday in a strongly worded statement, warning that the recent withdrawal of police protection from Atiku was a deliberate attempt to expose him to danger.
The Nigeria Police Force had earlier confirmed the withdrawal of thousands of its personnel from Very Important Personalities (VIPs) across the country, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive aimed at redeploying officers back to core policing duties. But Frank insists that Atiku’s case is different and politically motivated.
According to Frank, Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s vice president between 1999 and 2007, is legally entitled to police protection for life. He said the sudden withdrawal of these officers at a time when insecurity is widespread raises serious concerns.
He said: “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Frank argued that the claim that security was being withdrawn broadly from VIPs was only a cover. In his view, the real target was Atiku, who remains the leading opposition figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is widely expected to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The former APC spokesman described the police announcement of a general withdrawal from VIPs as “a smokescreen,” insisting that it was intended to mask a political agenda.
“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 also warned that withdrawing Atiku’s protection in the current security climate could have life-threatening consequences. Nigeria has been battling widespread kidnappings, terrorism, and banditry, with political figures also facing threats.
Atiku Abubakar has remained one of the most prominent voices in Nigeria’s opposition politics since leaving office in 2007. He contested the presidency in 2011, 2015, 2019, and most recently in 2023, where he emerged as the PDP candidate but lost to President Tinubu.
Since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, Atiku has been vocal on issues such as economic hardship, security failures, and alleged lapses in governance. His criticism of the Tinubu administration has increased speculation that he may run again in 2027.
Frank believes Atiku’s political visibility is the reason he is being targeted. He argued that removing Atiku’s security is part of a scheme designed to weaken or eliminate major opposition voices before the next election cycle.
In the statement, Frank drew parallels between Nigeria and other African countries where opposition leaders have suffered intimidation and violence at the hands of ruling governments.
He said: “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 also cited examples from across Africa where opposition figures were reportedly harassed, detained, or even assassinated to weaken political competition. He warned that Nigeria must not follow that path.
Frank dismissed the government’s justification that the police withdrawal directive applied to all VIPs equally. He argued that if the policy was truly nationwide, then even those close to President Tinubu should not be exempt.
He said: “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.”
Frank highlighted that government officials, influential politicians, and business leaders with strong ties to the presidency appear untouched by the security withdrawal directive. He insists this disproves the claim of a general policy.
The controversy comes after the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the withdrawal of about 11,566 police officers previously assigned to VIPs, politicians, business figures, and other individuals across the country. This move is part of ongoing efforts to redeploy officers back to public security duties amid rising insecurity.
President Tinubu reportedly directed that police escorts be drastically reduced so that officers can be reassigned to patrol duties, anti-crime operations, and emergency response units. The government believes this will strengthen national security service delivery.
But critics argue that the timing and manner of the policy raise concerns. Many Nigerians have questioned whether it is safe to recall police from VIPs without a clear strategy to protect them through alternative security arrangements.
The 2027 general election is still more than two years away, but political activities are already intensifying. Statements like Frank’s reflect the growing distrust between the ruling APC and leading opposition figures.
Atiku remains one of the strongest political figures capable of challenging the APC in 2027. Other opposition figures, including Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, are also expected to play major roles. The withdrawal of Atiku’s police protection is therefore viewed by some political observers as part of a broader struggle ahead of the next electoral cycle.
