Opponents Sponsoring Insecurity to Distract Government – Senate President, Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that political opponents of President Bola Tinubu are behind efforts to destabilise parts of the country, accusing them of sponsoring insecurity and recruiting young people to foment unrest.

Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday during the commissioning of road projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he argued that critics of the administration had run out of constructive arguments against its performance.

According to him, opposition figures were now resorting to negative tactics aimed at undermining public confidence in the government.

“When they realise that they cannot talk about project, when they realise they cannot talk about performance, when they realise they cannot talk about good laws, when they realise they cannot talk about the transformation in the petroleum industry, they now started resorting to paying more young people, recruiting them to cause mayhem across the country,” he said.

The Senate President also claimed that rising cases of kidnapping were being exploited to spread fear and create the impression that the country is unsafe.

He urged Nigerians to remain alert and not fall victim to what he described as politically motivated attempts to destabilise communities.

“So I want you all who are here to be very vigilant. Be careful about people trying to kidnap for ransom. They are kidnapping in order to cause distraction. They are kidnapping in order to give the impression that Nigeria is not safe,” he added.

While acknowledging security concerns, Akpabio commended the efforts of the country’s security agencies, saying their work in confronting threats often goes unrecognised.

“Our men and women in uniform have done tremendously well. I’m aware of that, but many people will not know. And that is why I keep saying that the devil you see today, you will soon see them no more,” he said.

He further called for unity among Nigerians, warning against allowing political differences to deepen national divisions. According to him, elections are temporary processes, while the stability and unity of the country must remain the priority.

“Elections will come and go, elections will never be our end. We will see the end of elections, elections will never see our end,” he said.