Senate President Godswill Akpabio has attributed the recent surge in insecurity across Nigeria to political actors seeking to distract the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio made the remarks during the commissioning of the headquarters of the Nigeria Revenue Service in Abuja, where he expressed optimism that the situation would improve shortly after the elections.
According to him, the spike in violent incidents is not a reflection of systemic failure but a calculated move linked to electoral rivalries.
“We are seeing incidents today. It’s even increasing because election is coming. As soon as as the election is over, watch out. The first two weeks, you will not hear any single bomb blast,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President contrasted Nigeria’s situation with what he described as instability in some other countries, stressing that the Tinubu administration has instead focused on development and infrastructure.
“Mr. President, there are countries where you have presidents for only two years and all you hear is bomb blasts everywhere. In your own case, in less than two, three years, all we get is commissioning of projects and projects and projects,” he stated.
Akpabio also dismissed concerns raised by some foreign embassies over Nigeria’s security situation, insisting that such fears were unrelated to the upcoming elections.
“The election will come and go. And God will protect you. God will protect Nigeria. Nigeria will outlive this election,” he added, noting that projects like the newly commissioned revenue service headquarters would remain as lasting national assets.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, Akpabio accused rival political figures of being disorganised. He specifically referenced Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, saying opposition politicians had abandoned their political bases while blaming the ruling party for their setbacks.
“Opposition is in disarray. Someone got six million votes and abandoned the party, abandoned the six million votes and went shopping for another platform,” he said.
He also commented on the controversy surrounding the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, over a 2023 tweet allegedly suggesting political support for the All Progressives Congress.
Akpabio argued that the statement — “Victory is sure” — had been taken out of context, noting that the comment did not specify any political party.
“For me, whether manipulated or not, he said victory is sure. He was not chairman of INEC then; he was just a lecturer, and anybody can support whoever he wishes to,” he said.
Despite his defence, the Senate President stressed that individuals occupying sensitive public offices must remain neutral and mindful of national interest.
“When you are on a seat, you have to think of the entire country and all the populace,” he added.
Akpabio further highlighted what he described as the growing political strength of the ruling party, noting that the APC’s influence had expanded from 18 states to nearly 32 under Tinubu’s leadership.
The Senate President also praised the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, for his performance, saying the tax administrator had earned the confidence of many Nigerians.
“Even in the Bible people don’t like tax collectors. Zacch has done very well and Nigerians are happy with him,” he said.
The newly inaugurated revenue service headquarters is a 16-floor complex spread across three towers and designed to accommodate about 3,000 personnel.
President Tinubu had earlier signed the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act in June 2025, officially transforming the Federal Inland Revenue Service into the Nigeria Revenue Service.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by several top government officials, including Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Also present were several state governors, including Babagana Zulum, Charles Soludo, Caleb Mutfwang, Hope Uzodimma, and Usman Ododo.
Akpabio concluded by urging Nigerians to remain patient with the current administration, insisting that the government’s reforms — including the removal of fuel subsidy — are beginning to yield positive results.
