President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday alleged that the recent surge in terrorist attacks across Nigeria is part of a coordinated effort to undermine the administration of Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio made the remarks in Abuja during his goodwill message at the inauguration of the Nigeria Revenue Service headquarters.
“Believe me, Mr President, two weeks after you win the 2027 elections, the bomb blasts will stop. People are sponsoring these attacks to distract you from your work,” he said. “You are doing very well despite the gang-up against your administration.”
His comments came less than 24 hours after Tinubu held a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa with the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and a visiting French general.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. It marked the President’s first official engagement since returning from Bayelsa on Friday.
The talks also followed a recent announcement that France had agreed to provide military equipment and training to Nigerian forces combating insurgency in the North-East.
Akpabio’s remarks come amid heightened security concerns nationwide, including a controversial airstrike over the weekend that reportedly killed more than 100 civilians, and a fresh advisory from the United States authorising the voluntary departure of non-essential embassy staff from Abuja.
Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security threats, particularly in the northern regions, including the insurgency by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East, as well as widespread banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central zones.
The Senate President also defended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, over allegations of political bias linked to a resurfaced social media post.
Akpabio dismissed claims that the post suggested partisanship, insisting the statement had been taken out of context.
“They circulated a tweet claiming the INEC chairman said ‘victory is sure.’ But he did not say victory is sure for any political party,” Akpabio said. “He made that statement long before assuming office.”
He added that while individuals are free to hold political views before taking public office, neutrality is essential once entrusted with national responsibility.
“When you occupy a public office, you must act in the interest of the entire country and all its citizens. That is what is expected,” he said.
