President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that the recent increase in insecurity across Nigeria is politically motivated with aim of distracting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Akpabio said the worsening security situation was part of a recurring political pattern around election cycles.
“You’re seeing insecurity today, and it’s even increasing because the election is coming,” he said. “As soon as election is over, for the first two weeks you will not hear a single bomb blast because people are sponsoring it to distract you.”
Such actors, according to him, are driven by political motives rather than national interest.
Claims of Political Sponsorship of Violence
Akpabio alleged that insecurity spikes are sometimes deliberately engineered to create instability during politically sensitive periods, although he did not provide evidence to support the claim.
“People are sponsoring it to distract you, and they don’t know what else to do,” he said, insisting that such actions are aimed at weakening governance ahead of elections.
The Senate President also pointed to what he described as growing political alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming that more governors have moved closer to the President since 2023.
“He came in with 18 governors, and today he has almost 32 governors under his fold out of 36,” Akpabio said. “So where do we belong?”
He argued that shifting political alliances reflect increasing consolidation around the Presidency ahead of 2027.
Remarks on Electoral Controversy and INEC
Akpabio also referenced controversy surrounding an alleged X account linked to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, dismissing claims of bias in the electoral process.
“They brought out a tweet where the INEC chairman said, ‘Victory is sure,’ but he didn’t say victory is sure for APC or PDP,” he said.
However, INEC has denied that its chairman owns or operates the account, distancing itself from the viral post.
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The Senate President’s comments come amid heightened security tensions across Nigeria following a series of violent incidents in recent days.
President Tinubu recently held a closed-door security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the Chief of Defence Staff and heads of intelligence agencies as part of efforts to address the situation.
In the North-East, a Nigerian Air Force airstrike reportedly resulted in civilian casualties alongside suspected insurgents, drawing criticism from rights groups.
Military Losses in Borno Intensify Concerns
Security challenges have also been marked by renewed attacks on military formations.
Brigadier General Oseni Braimah was killed in an attack in Borno State on April 9, 2026, while another incident claimed the lives of a colonel and several soldiers.
The attacks have further raised concerns over the effectiveness of ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The worsening situation has also attracted international attention, with the United States Department of State authorising the voluntary departure of non-essential embassy staff from Abuja over security concerns.
The advisory reflects growing global concern over instability in Nigeria’s capital and surrounding regions.
Akpabio’s comments add to growing political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections, as Nigeria continues to grapple with rising insecurity, military casualties, controversial airstrikes, and international concern over its security environment.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
