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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has attributed rising wave of insecurity in the country to political actors aiming to distract President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of elections, expressing optimism that the situation will improve shortly after the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja, Akpabio said the violence was a calculated “gang-up” tied to electoral rivalries not genuine threats.
“We are seeing incidents today. It’s even increasing because election is coming. As soon as the election is over, watch out. The first two weeks, you will not hear any single bomb blast,” Akpabio said.
He contrasted Nigeria’s stability under Tinubu with chaos elsewhere, noting rapid project commissions instead of bombings.
“Mr. President, there are countries where you have presidents for only two years. And all you hear is bomb blasts everywhere. And the presidents are only two years old in office. In your own case, in less than two, three years, all we get is commissioning of projects and projects and projects,” he stated.
Akpabio dismissed foreign embassy concerns as unrelated to polls, emphasising enduring national progress like the NRS building.
“The election will come and go. And God will protect you. God will protect Nigeria. Nigeria will outlive this election. Look at what they are doing now. Is this going to be taken away? It’s going to remain here. For the benefit of future generations of Nigeria,” he added.
He also took a swipe at the opposition, particularly Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, accusing opposition figures of being disorganised.
“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 stated.
President Tinubu had jokingly suggested sending Akpabio to the opposition camp to confuse and destabilise them. “Senate President, I will send you to the other side to represent me. And then you can scatter them any way you want. They’re confused!”
Akpabio also spoke on the controversy trailing the Chairman if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Joash Amupitan on a tweet he made in 2023 allegedly supporting the All Progressive Congress (APC), where he said “Victory is Sure” He argued that the comment was taken out of context, stressing that the INEC chairman did not specify any political party as the beneficiary of the supposed “victory.
“How do you win an election when you don’t have a structure? No political party is stable again in this country. Then they changed and attacked the people going to do the election. Then they brought out a tweet where the INEC chairman (allegedly) said, ‘Victory is sure.’ But he didn’t say victory is sure for APC or PDP. But the man said it’s manipulated and nobody wants to hear.
“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.”
Nonetheless, he said, the remarks underscored the need for neutrality among public office holders, particularly those occupying sensitive positions. “When you are on a seat, you have to think of the entire country and all the populace,” he added, emphasizing the importance of impartiality in governance and electoral processes.
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He highlighted Tinubu’s expanding influence, from 18 to nearly 32 state governments under APC control as evidence of public support despite attacks.
“He came in with 18 governors, today he has almost 32 governments under his rule. So, where do you belong? How do you do an election when you don’t have the structure?”
Akpabio celebrated electoral successes in the FCT, crediting rural development.
“Nobody is attacking that. No single administration in Nigeria since 1999 that occupied Aso Rock had won an election in FCT area councils… This time around, we did the election in the FCT.”
He portrayed the insecurity narrative as a distraction from reforms like fuel subsidy removal, which ended long queues despite global oil disruptions.
“Nigeria today. Even with the closure of the Hormuz Strait… we have not had 2, 3, 4, 5 kilometers of fuel line… These are reforms that are working.”
Akpabio closed by affirming national resilience amid political noise, urging focus on governance over transient controversies.
The Senate President appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with the current administration, insisting that the government is on the right track.
He also praised the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, describing him as a tax administrator widely accepted by Nigerians.
“Even in the Bible people don’t like tax collectors. Zacch has done very well and Nigerians are happy with him,” Akpabio added.
The event was attended by top government officials, including President Tinubu, who commissioned the complex, as well as Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, members of the Federal Executive Council, and several state governors, including Babagana Zulum, Charles Soludo, Caleb Mutfwang, Hope Uzodimma and Usman Ododo.
The newly inaugurated headquarters, described as a world-class facility, comprises 16 floors spread across three towers and is designed to accommodate about 3,000 personnel.
President Tinubu had earlier, in June 2025, signed the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, which officially transformed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) into the Nigerian Revenue Service.
