Insecurity Will End After Elections — Senate President, Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has attributed the recent rise in insecurity across Nigeria to political tensions ahead of the forthcoming elections, expressing confidence that the situation will ease shortly after the polls.
Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering a goodwill message at the official commissioning of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) Corporate Headquarters in Abuja. The event was attended by President Bola Tinubu and other senior government officials.
According to him, some political actors unsettled by the performance of the current administration were contributing to the worsening security situation.
“Insecurity is increasing because election is coming, because people don’t know what to do again. Immediately after the election, two weeks after the election, the insecurity will stop. The insecurity is being sponsored by people,” he said.
The Senate President also commended President Tinubu’s leadership, insisting that the administration was “doing the right thing,” and urged Nigerians to remain patient with ongoing reforms.
He further criticised opposition figures, including the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing them of inconsistency and political instability.
“Opposition is in disarray. Someone got six million votes, abandoned the party, abandoned the six million votes, and went shopping for another platform—and they are blaming the ruling party,” he added.
Akpabio also praised the Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, describing him as an exceptional tax administrator who enjoys widespread public goodwill.
“Zacch has done very well and Nigerians are happy with him. Even in the Bible, people don’t like tax collectors, but he is the first tax man that Nigerians love,” he said.
The commissioning ceremony attracted a high-profile audience, including Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.
Also present were 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 NRS headquarters is a modern facility comprising three towers of 16 floors each and is designed to accommodate about 3,000 personnel.
The development follows the signing of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act by President Tinubu in June 2025, which formally transformed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) into the Nigerian Revenue Service.