Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that individuals opposed to the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration are sponsoring insecurity across Nigeria in an attempt to undermine the country’s democratic system.
Akpabio made the remark on Saturday in Abuja during the public presentation of three books in honour of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), as part of activities marking his 84th birthday. One of the books unveiled at the event was Abubakar’s autobiography.
Paying tribute to the former military leader, Akpabio commended his role in Nigeria’s return to democratic rule and described him as one of the architects of the nation’s democratic journey.
Abubakar assumed office as Head of State in June 1998 following the death of General Sani Abacha and oversaw the transition programme that culminated in the handover of power to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. The process ushered in Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation, which has endured for more than 27 years.
Since leaving office, Abubakar has remained active in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts across Africa. He currently serves as chairman of the National Peace Committee, which promotes peaceful elections and political stability in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio assured the former leader that the federal government and security agencies were committed to tackling the country’s security challenges.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is grappling with many enemies of progress and of the democratic legacy you left behind. Today, some people are sponsoring insecurity in our country to portray our democracy in a bad light. But with the determination of our security personnel, the enemies we see today shall be defeated,” he said.
The Senate President also expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome terrorism, poverty and other socio-economic challenges confronting the nation.
He further noted that members of the National Assembly are beneficiaries of the democratic foundation laid by Abubakar, assuring him that his contributions to nation-building would remain appreciated and remembered.
Akpabio’s comments come amid persistent security concerns across several parts of the country despite repeated assurances by the Tinubu administration that significant progress is being made in the fight against insecurity.
Since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, many states have continued to experience attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other armed criminal groups. States including Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Borno have recorded some of the deadliest incidents, while communities in parts of the North-Central region have also faced recurring violence.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International reported in May 2025 that at least 10,217 people were killed by armed groups during the first two years of the Tinubu administration, with Benue and Plateau states accounting for a significant number of the casualties. The organisation also reported widespread displacement and the takeover of several communities by armed groups.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained another major security challenge. According to a report by SBM Intelligence, 4,722 people were abducted across Nigeria between July 2024 and June 2025, with victims’ families and communities reportedly paying at least N2.57 billion in ransom to secure their release.
The report described kidnapping as a growing criminal enterprise driven by weak law enforcement, economic hardship and the proliferation of armed groups. Several mass abductions targeting schools, highways and rural communities have occurred in recent years, while farmers in many parts of the country continue to complain of restricted access to their farmlands due to insecurity.
