Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed that the rising wave of insecurity across Nigeria is politically motivated and will subside shortly after the next general elections.
Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the official launch of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) Corporate Headquarters, an event attended by President Bola Tinubu and other top government officials.
According to him, the current security challenges are being deliberately influenced by political actors ahead of the polls.
“Insecurity is increasing because election is coming, because people don’t know what to do again. Immediately after election, two weeks after election, the insecurity will stop. The insecurity is being sponsored by people,” Akpabio said.
His comments come amid ongoing concerns over rising attacks by armed groups, banditry, and kidnappings in several parts of the country.
Akpabio, however, defended the administration of President Tinubu, insisting that government policies were on the right track and suggesting that opposition figures were behind attempts to destabilise the country.
He also took a swipe at the opposition, referencing the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while commenting on the state of the opposition.
“Opposition is in disarray, someone got six million votes and abandoned the party, abandoned the six million votes and went shopping for another platform and they are blaming the ruling party,” he said.
The Senate President urged Nigerians to remain patient with the current administration, expressing confidence in its direction and economic reforms.
“Let Nigerians be patient with you, you are doing the right thing,” he added, in remarks directed at President Tinubu.
He also commended the Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, praising his leadership and public reception.
“Zacch is the first tax-man that Nigerians love. Even in the Bible, people don’t like tax collectors. Zacch has done very well and Nigerians are happy with him,” Akpabio said.
The event also featured 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.
Several state governors were also in attendance, including Babagana Zulum, Charles Soludo, Caleb Mutfwang, Hope Uzodimma, and Usman Ododo.
The newly commissioned NRS headquarters consists of three towers and 16 floors, designed to accommodate about 3,000 personnel. The building marks a key milestone following the transformation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service into the Nigerian Revenue Service under a 2025 reform law signed by President Tinubu.
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