Akpabio Blames Rising Insecurity on 2027 Election Plots
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has attributed the recent escalation of insecurity across parts of Nigeria to political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting that the unrest is designed to discredit the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio made the remarks yesterday at the official commissioning of a major tax administration facility by the Nigeria Revenue Service in Abuja. “You are seeing insecurity today. It is even increasing because elections are coming,” the Senate President stated. He added that “as soon as elections are over, watch out, the first few weeks, you may not hear of such incidents again.”
The Senate President argued that some actors were deliberately sponsoring unrest to distract the administration, but expressed confidence that Nigerians remained firmly behind President Tinubu. He suggested that the President’s growing political influence across party lines had unsettled opponents. “With less than 18 governors at a time, he now has close to 30 or more under his influence,” Akpabio said.
He further declared that Nigerians viewed President Tinubu as indispensable to the nation’s trajectory. “Nigerians cannot do without you in 2027,” Akpabio said, echoing what he described as sentiments held by key government officials and stakeholders.
The Senate President defended the administration’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy and tax restructuring, describing them as necessary measures to stabilise public finances. “In less than three years, what we see are projects, projects, and more projects,” he stated. He assured that the National Assembly would continue to support the administration’s policies and urged citizens to remain patient as reforms take root.
The comments come amid heightened security concerns across several states. On April 9, 2026, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters attacked a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, killing Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and at least 17 soldiers. The United States Department of State also issued a travel advisory on April 8, authorising the departure of non-essential staff from Abuja and citing risks of crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
The Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services have not issued public statements directly addressing Akpabio’s claim that insecurity is politically driven.