Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has stirred fresh controversy with his assertion that the country’s rising insecurity is politically driven and will subside shortly after upcoming elections.
Akpabio made the remarks on April 14, 2026, in Abuja during the commissioning of the Nigerian Revenue Service Corporate Headquarters, an event attended by top government officials including President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing concerns over worsening security challenges across the country, the Senate President linked the spike in violence and unrest to political maneuvering ahead of elections. According to him, actors who are unable to compete politically are allegedly sponsoring instability.
“Insecurity is increasing because election is coming… Immediately after election, two weeks after election, the insecurity will stop. The insecurity is being sponsored by people,” he stated.
Akpabio maintained that the current situation is temporary and largely driven by political interests, expressing confidence that normalcy would return soon after the electoral process is concluded. He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the present administration, insisting that the government is on the right track.
The Senate President also used the occasion to criticise opposition figures, suggesting they are disorganised and resorting to tactics aimed at discrediting the ruling government.
His comments have since generated mixed reactions, with critics questioning the implication that insecurity is largely election-driven, while supporters interpret the statement as a defence of the administration’s performance amid ongoing security challenges.
The event itself marked the unveiling of a major federal infrastructure project—a 16-storey facility designed to accommodate about 3,000 staff—highlighting ongoing institutional reforms in Nigeria’s revenue system.
Akpabio’s remarks add a new dimension to the national conversation on insecurity, particularly as the country gradually approaches another election cycle.


