…says opposition targeting INEC chairman over lack of structure, internal disarray
…defends subsidy removal, revenue reforms as foundation for growth
…hails Tinubu’s infrastructure drive, rising support among governors
… Says NRS headquarters symbolises new era of fiscal discipline and self-reliance
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday alleged that the worsening insecurity across Nigeria is being deliberately sponsored to distract President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and create a campaign issue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja, Akpabio claimed that the surge in violent incidents would subside immediately after the polls. He insisted that political motives were behind the current security challenges.
The Senate President declared that insecurity would cease within two weeks after the elections, as those sponsoring the violence would have achieved their aim of distracting the government.
“You’re seeing insecurity today, it’s even increasing because election is coming. As soon as election is over, watch out, the first two weeks, you will not hear any single bomb blast, because people are sponsoring it to distract you. They don’t know what else to do,” he declared.
The Senate President argued that the alleged sponsors of insecurity were resorting to such tactics out of desperation, as they could not match what he described as the administration’s performance across key sectors.
According to him, the growing political strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reflected in the increasing number of governors aligning with President Tinubu, had left opposition parties disoriented and struggling for relevance.
“He came in with less than 18 governors, today he has almost 32 governors under his fold, out of 36. So, where do we belong? How do we win elections when you don’t have the structure? No political party today is stable in this country,” he said.
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Akpabio further contended that the opposition’s recent focus on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was a sign of its lack of preparedness for the electoral process.
He described calls for the resignation of the INEC chairman over a controversial statement as misplaced, noting that the issue had been blown out of proportion.
“They have now gone into something so insignificant, very close to primaries, one month to primaries, because they realized that they’ve not been able to put their houses in order,” he said.
The Senate President stressed that the statement attributed to the INEC chairman, “victory is sure”, neither mentioned any political party nor justified the level of outrage it had generated.
“When he said victory is sure, he did not say victory is sure for APC or for PDP. He didn’t mention any party. And the man said it was manipulated, but nobody wants to hear,” Akpabio added, warning against politicising institutions critical to the democratic process.
Beyond politics, Akpabio used the occasion to deliver an expansive defence of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the overhaul of the nation’s revenue system.
He traced the President’s track record in Lagos State, where internally generated revenue grew from a few billion naira monthly to tens of billions, attributing the success to data-driven governance and fiscal discipline.
He said the transition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) marked a significant milestone in strengthening national revenue mobilisation and transparency.
Akpabio also pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy as a bold but necessary decision that freed up resources for infrastructure development, noting that the country previously spent a substantial portion of its revenues on subsidies and debt servicing.
“You can’t build something on nothing and expect it to stand… Nigeria was spending almost 73 per cent of its revenues on fuel subsidy,” he said, adding that the reforms had repositioned the economy for sustainable growth.
The Senate President highlighted improvements in federal allocations to states, stating that many sub-national governments were now able to pay salaries and execute projects without resorting to borrowing.
He credited this to the administration’s commitment to true federalism and strict adherence to constitutional provisions on revenue sharing.
On infrastructure, Akpabio praised ongoing developments across the country, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he said visible transformation had taken place within a short period.
“As a resident of the FCT… I have witnessed the Federal Capital Territory changed under your administration in under three years,” he said, noting that projects previously ignored had been revived and completed.
He also cited increased private sector participation in the economy, including investments in industries such as lithium processing, as evidence of growing investor confidence.
In the petroleum sector, Akpabio noted the absence of long fuel queues, which had been a recurring feature in previous years, attributing the improvement to reforms that encouraged local production and reduced dependence on imports.
“Today, there is no single fuel line in Nigeria… for the first time, we are now producing what we consume and even exporting,” he said.
The Senate President further addressed concerns about embassy closures in Nigeria, dismissing claims that they were linked to insecurity or the electoral climate, and instead attributing them to global geopolitical tensions.
He also commended President Tinubu’s leadership style, particularly his willingness to draw talent across political divides, citing appointments in the FCT as an example of inclusive governance.
Describing the newly commissioned NRS headquarters as more than just a physical structure, Akpabio said it symbolised a new national resolve anchored on discipline, accountability, and self-reliance.
“More than concrete and steel, it is a declaration that Nigeria is determined to build its future on discipline, accountability, and the honest mobilisation of its own resources,” he said.
He assured that the National Assembly would continue to support the administration through legislative backing and oversight, stressing the importance of sustaining reforms that promote fiscal responsibility and economic stability.
Akpabio also referenced efforts by the administration to reduce the burden of public debt, noting that significant progress had been made in paying down inherited obligations.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain patient and supportive, expressing confidence that the reforms would yield lasting benefits and position the country on a path of enduring prosperity.
“Let us affirm that Nigeria will rise by its own effort, sustained by discipline, and guided by a shared commitment to national progress,” he said.
