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According to a report by PM News on Sunday, June 14, 2026, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that individuals opposed to the administration of President Bola Tinubu are behind the growing insecurity across Nigeria, with the intention of discrediting the country’s democratic system.
Akpabio made the statement on Saturday in Abuja during the public presentation of three books dedicated to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as part of activities commemorating his 84th birthday.
Among the books unveiled at the event was the autobiography of the former military leader.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar assumed leadership of Nigeria in June 1998 following the death of General Sani Abacha, who had governed the country from 1993 until his passing.
Within less than a year in office, Abdulsalami successfully implemented a transition programme that culminated in the transfer of power to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.
That historic transition marked the beginning of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and established the democratic era that has endured uninterrupted for more than two decades.
Since leaving office, Abdulsalami has remained active in national and continental affairs.
He has earned recognition as a respected statesman and mediator, participating in numerous peace-building initiatives across Africa, including assignments under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He currently serves as Chairman of Nigeria’s National Peace Committee, a body that promotes peaceful elections and political harmony before, during, and after electoral contests.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio commended Abdulsalami for his role in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s democratic stability.
He also assured the former leader that the Tinubu administration, alongside the nation’s security agencies, remains committed to tackling the security challenges confronting the country.
He said, “I must say that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is grappling with a lot of enemies of progress, of what you left behind.
Today, many are sponsoring insecurity in our country, to paint our democracy in a bad colour.
But I can tell you that with the determination of men and women in uniform, that the enemies we see today, we shall see them no more.”
The Senate President further expressed optimism that Nigeria would eventually overcome insecurity, terrorism, and widespread poverty.
He lamented the impact of drug abuse, particularly the misuse of substances such as Tramadol, which he said has contributed to disturbing social problems and rising violence in some communities.
According to him, the sacrifices and examples set by elder statesmen like Abdulsalami would continue to inspire efforts to defeat terrorism and restore national prosperity.
He added that Nigeria would ultimately reclaim its rightful position among leading nations in the international community.
Akpabio also noted that members of the National Assembly are direct beneficiaries of the democratic structure established through Abdulsalami’s transition programme.
He assured the former Head of State that his contributions to national development and democratic governance would remain appreciated and remembered.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over the country’s deteriorating security situation despite repeated assurances from President Tinubu that significant progress is being made in addressing the challenge.
Since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, several regions across Nigeria have continued to experience attacks carried out by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other armed criminal groups.
States such as Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno, as well as parts of the North-Central region, have been among the hardest hit by the violence.
In a report released in May 2025, Amnesty International disclosed that no fewer than 10,217 people lost their lives in attacks by armed groups during the first two years of the Tinubu administration.
