* Alleges gang-up against Tinubu
* Defends INEC Chairman over ‘victory is sure’ tweet
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday declared that rising insecurity in the country is orchestrated to by unpatriotic persons to thwart President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, and predicted that incidences of terrorist bombings would cease shortly after the elections in 2027.
Akpabio spoke during the commissioning of the new Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) headquarters in Abuja, where he praised President Tinubu’s efforts and policies on governance, reforms and national development.
“We are seeing incidents 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,” he said.
He told Tinubu, who was the guest of honour at the event, that “people are sponsoring it to distract you from your work,” stressing that there is a “gang up” against the administration.
Akpabio noted that the President had increased political support, saying he “came in with 18 governors” and now has “almost 32 governors.”
He questioned how opposition parties intend to contest elections without comparable structure .
“Why are they now focusing on something so insignificant, especially so close to the primaries—just one month away?
“Someone secure up to six million votes in an election through a political party, only to abandon that party and those six million votes.
“Then, they begin shopping for a new political party, where they would have to start building all over again”, he stated..
He also referred to the controversy surrounding a statement by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Josh Amupitan, that “victory is sure,” as well as calls for his resignation over the remark, noting that it was not directed at any political party and had been misinterpreted.
According to Akpabio: “We have serious problems. People are dying in jails and in many other places.Nobody is talking about those things. Instead, you see some people focusing on elections, arguing over a tweet that says “victory is sure,” and calling for someone to resign.
“Resign because you said “victory is sure”?You didn’t mention any name. You might even say, “I’m not the one.”
“They may have pulled my line or even opened a Snapchat account in my name, even though I don’t have a Facebook account.”
“And I’m not the one. Yet they continue doing what they want, and still demand resignation.”
On international developments, he referenced concerns about bomb blasts from Iran affecting global decisions, stating that reductions in embassy staff in some countries should not be misread as being linked to Nigeria’s elections.
“It’s not because the election is coming. The election will come and go. Nigeria will outlive this election,” he said.
The Senate President recalled that during the primaries and convention, the focus was not just to elect a candidate but one with “sight and vision,” noting that such vision has positively impacted revenue generation.
He said revenue had increased from about “N3 to N4 billion a month” to “over N69 billion,” adding that Nigerians believed in the leadership and elected the administration.
The Senate President further noted that the President had sent him to commission projects across states, including a lithium factory in Niger State, and said government had completed a bigger one employing thousands of people awaiting commissioning.
He said similar developments were ongoing across sub-national governments through partnerships with the private sector, adding that the administration believes in “true federalism” and the sharing of national resources in line with the Constitution.
Reflecting on infrastructure, Akpabio said he had previously seen a dilapidated structure at the site of the revenue service headquarters, not knowing it would be transformed into its current state.
He said in less than two to three years, the administration had focused on commissioning projects, unlike in some countries where bomb blasts dominate early years of leadership.
Akpabio also addressed the removal of fuel subsidy, saying Nigeria previously spent about “90 to 93 per cent” of its revenue on subsidy, leaving little for infrastructure.
“You can’t build something on nothing and expect it to stand,” he said.
He added that the country no longer experiences long fuel queues and noted that Nigeria is now “producing what we consume and consuming what we produce.”
He referenced debt obligations, including “ways and means of about N33 trillion,” stating that over N26 trillion had been repaid.
The Senate President commended the President’s ability to appoint capable individuals and noted the public reception toward the leadership of the revenue service, saying he had not seen such acceptance of tax authorities before.
He described the new headquarters as a symbol of discipline, accountability and a renewed national resolve to manage resources effectively.
“No nation can endure if it depends only on what is given to it,” he said, adding that a nation that harnesses its resources builds prosperity and dignity.
Akpabio said the National Assembly would continue to support the administration’s reforms and strengthen oversight to ensure that national resources benefit citizens.
