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Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that the recent surge in terrorist attacks across Nigeria is part of a coordinated attempt to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during his goodwill message at the inauguration of the Nigeria Revenue Service headquarters, suggesting that the violence was being used to distract the government from its reform agenda.
Akpabio expressed confidence that the situation would improve after the next election cycle, arguing that those behind the attacks were politically motivated and aimed at weakening the administration’s focus.
He said, “Believe me, Mr President, two weeks after you win the elections (2027), the bomb blasts will stop. People are sponsoring it to distract you from your work.
“You’re doing so well despite the gang-up on your administration.”
His comments came shortly after President Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and a visiting French military official at the Presidential Villa.
It was said that the discussion was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation.
Akpabio also addressed allegations of bias involving the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, dismissing claims that a resurfaced social media post indicated partisanship.
“Then they changed and said, okay, let us attack the people going to do the election. And they brought out a tweet where they said the chairman of INEC said victory is sure. But he didn’t say victory is sure for the APC. He did not say victory is sure for the PDP. He just said victory is sure,” Akpabio said.
He said the statement attributed to the electoral chief had been taken out of context, noting that it did not endorse any political party and was made before the individual assumed office.
He maintained that while individuals may hold personal views prior to public service, those in office are expected to act in the interest of the entire country and remain impartial.
“And the man said that it’s manipulated. Nobody wants to hear. But for me, whether it is manipulated or not, he said victory is sure. He was not the chairman of INEC. He was just a mere lecturer. Anybody can support anybody whom he wishes to,” he stated.
“But when you are in a seat, you have to think of the entire country and all the populace. And that’s what they are doing,” he added.
The Senate President’s remarks also come at a time of heightened security concerns, including a recent airstrike that reportedly led to significant civilian casualties and a United States advisory permitting non-essential embassy staff in Abuja to leave.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central regions.
