Dare Babalola
The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has expressed concerns over a purported plot to eliminate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar prior to the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Tuesday, Frank claimed the sudden removal of Atiku’s police security detail, despite his entitlement as a former vice president, was suspicious and part of a plot to put him at risk.
He wrote, “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.”
He accused the authorities of using the withdrawal of security from VIPs as a pretext, insisting that the real intention was to single out Atiku.
“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,” Frank said.
Frank warned that the move mirrors dangerous political trends across Africa, where incumbent leaders intimidate, arrest, detain, prosecute, and, in extreme cases, eliminate opposition leaders to retain power.
“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,” he declared.
He challenged the government to prove its claim of a general security withdrawal by also stripping the president’s family members, close associates, and political appointees of their police orderlies and escorts.
“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.”
This comes as the Nigeria Police commenced the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers previously assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) nationwide.
The move followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security to VIPs amid mounting insecurity concerns.
