Fresh and serious allegations of a political assassination plot have shaken Nigeria's political landscape. A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has claimed that the recent withdrawal of police security from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is part of a deliberate plan to eliminate him.
Frank Sounds Alarm on Alleged Political Targeting
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Timi Frank, who once served as the APC's Deputy National Publicity Secretary, raised a grave alarm. He accused the Federal Government of intentionally exposing Atiku to danger by withdrawing all police personnel attached to him. Frank emphasized that this action was taken despite Atiku's statutory entitlement to security protection as a former Vice President.
He stated that no previous administration had ever taken such a step against a former number two citizen. Frank dismissed the government's explanation of a broad review of VIP security as a mere cover story. He insisted the policy was specifically designed to single out and weaken Atiku Abubakar's safety as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections.
A Dangerous Pattern of Opposition Repression
Frank drew parallels between this development and tactics used in other parts of Africa. He warned that the withdrawal mirrors a broader pattern where state power is weaponized to intimidate and suppress strong opposition voices when incumbents feel threatened.
"This so-called blanket withdrawal is a cover-up," Frank declared. "The real objective is to isolate and eliminate Atiku ahead of the 2027 election. The pattern is too obvious to ignore... Removing his security at this critical time is deliberate and dangerous."
He linked Atiku's vocal criticism of the current administration's policies to the security decision, calling it a form of political witch-hunt. Frank also expressed concerns about the composition of the nation's security sector, alleging that senior positions are dominated by individuals loyal to President Bola Tinubu.
Calls for Vigilance and International Attention
The former APC spokesman called on both local stakeholders and the international community to take note of the situation. He warned that creating a security vacuum around a major opposition figure like Atiku could invite dangerous and destabilizing consequences for Nigeria.
"We alert Nigerians and the international community. If anything happens to Atiku Abubakar, this government should be held responsible," Frank stated. He further challenged the government to demonstrate the fairness of its security review by applying the same withdrawal measures to close associates of the president if the directive was genuinely nationwide.
Frank concluded by asserting that any attack on Atiku or other opposition leaders would push Nigeria toward serious instability. His allegations have injected a new layer of tension into the nation's political climate as the race for the 2027 presidency begins to take shape.
