“EFCC MOVES TO ARREST ATIKU ABUBAKAR “, SAYS TIMI FRANK, SEEKS FOR GLOBAL INTERVENTION

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ADC Presidential Candidate and Former Vice-President of Nigeria

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Activist urges international intervention, warns against alleged use of anti-graft agency to intimidate opposition leaders

Activist and former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to arrest former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling on United States President Donald Trump and the international community to intervene.

Frank, in an open letter addressed to Trump and other international leaders, expressed concern over alleged plans to intimidate, arrest or detain Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), potentially undermining his participation in the forthcoming elections, reports Daily Independent.

He appealed to the United States, the United Nations, the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom to engage the Nigerian government and seek credible assurances regarding the safety and political freedom of opposition leaders.

Frank, who serves as an ambassador of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to East Africa and the Middle East, called for an urgent and independent investigation into the allegations surrounding Atiku’s safety and the possible use of state institutions against opposition figures.

“These allegations must be independently and urgently investigated. Given their gravity, however, they cannot be dismissed or ignored until it’s too late to prevent harm,” he said.

He warned that any attempt to deploy law enforcement or security agencies against opposition candidates would undermine democratic participation and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s institutions.

“The protection of political opposition is not a favour that any government grants at its discretion. It’s a fundamental obligation of every democratic state,” he said.

Frank specifically expressed concern over allegations that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could be used to initiate proceedings against Atiku under circumstances that might lead to his arrest and prolonged detention during the election campaign.

He, however, clarified that his position was not that political figures should be exempt from legitimate investigations, but that law enforcement agencies must operate independently and without political interference.

“The concern is not that Atiku Abubakar should be placed above the law. The concern is that the law must never be placed at the service of political persecution,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure that any investigation involving opposition figures was founded on credible evidence and conducted in accordance with due process.

The activist also questioned the perceived selective application of anti-corruption laws, arguing that public confidence in the EFCC and other institutions depended on their ability to investigate allegations impartially, regardless of political affiliation.

According to him, no public official or political associate should be shielded from legitimate scrutiny because of their proximity to the presidency.

“If the government expects Nigerians to trust its anti-corruption institutions, those institutions must demonstrate that justice is neither partisan nor selective,” he said.

Frank described Atiku as one of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures, maintaining that his criticism of government policies and participation in debates on governance and public accountability were legitimate features of a democratic system.

He said political disagreements should be resolved through open debate and lawful procedures rather than intimidation or threats.

“The test of Nigeria’s democracy is not whether the government protects its allies, but whether it protects the rights of those who challenge it,” he added.

Frank also raised concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the judiciary to demonstrate impartiality in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He called for independent investigations into allegations of restrictions on opposition campaigns, political intimidation and interference with electoral institutions before they escalated.

The activist further referred to public statements attributed to prominent political figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which critics have interpreted as suggesting confidence in a predetermined electoral outcome.

He urged political leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements, warning that remarks creating the impression that election results had already been decided could further undermine public confidence.

“No political party or public official has the authority to predetermine the will of the Nigerian people.

“Elections must be won through the ballot, not through intimidation, institutional manipulation, or declarations that suggest the outcome has been settled in advance,” Frank said.

He urged the international community to support credible and independent election observation missions in Nigeria, with particular attention to political violence, voter intimidation, restrictions on campaigns, the conduct of security agencies and the transparency of the electoral process.

Frank argued that international partners should not wait until a major political crisis erupted before taking preventive action.

“Preventive diplomacy isn’t merely desirable; it’s a responsibility,” he said.

He stressed that his appeal to Trump and other international leaders was not an attempt to influence who should govern Nigeria, but a call for safeguards to ensure that Nigerians could freely determine their political future.

“I’m not asking the United States or any foreign government to determine who should govern Nigeria. That decision belongs exclusively to the Nigerian people.

“I’m asking the international community to help ensure that Nigerians retain the freedom to make that decision without fear, coercion, or unlawful interference,” he said.

Frank warned that electoral injustice could deepen public distrust, heighten political tensions and threaten national stability, with potential implications for the wider West African region.

He urged the Federal Government to provide credible assurances concerning the safety of Atiku and other opposition figures, while calling on international partners to intensify diplomatic engagement ahead of the elections.

“The protection of Atiku Abubakar’s life and liberty, the safety of all opposition leaders, and the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 elections must be treated as urgent democratic priorities,” he said.

He added: “The world mustn’t wait for a tragedy before it acts.”