President Bola Tinubu has described himself as a “very stubborn politician,” alleging that his opponents are exploiting insecurity in a bid to remove him from office.
Nigeria’s next presidential election is scheduled for January 2027, with Tinubu expected to seek a second term.
Insecurity has continued to escalate across parts of the country, with terrorists and bandits carrying out attacks, killings, and kidnappings for ransom.
Opposition parties have repeatedly criticised the administration for failing to effectively address the worsening security situation.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday night while receiving stakeholders from Plateau State led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Tinubu said he remains undeterred despite the criticism.
“You are playing to the hand of agents, including my own enemies, who want to use insecurity to get rid of me. But I’m a very stubborn politician. I just refuse to go. And I will campaign for my second term,” he said.J
Like Tinubu, like Jonathan
Tinubu’s remarks echo a similar stance taken by former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general elections.
At a 2014 Democracy Day interdenominational church service in Abuja, Jonathan said the insurgency by Boko Haram was aimed at toppling his government.
At the time, the insurgency was at its peak in the North-East, marked by the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.
Jonathan told the congregation that without prayers, Nigeria could have suffered even more from the global wave of terrorism.
He said, “Without your prayers, it would have been worse. With your prayers, our (Chibok) girls will be seen by our security men.
“All these distractions were planned to bring this government down. Since they failed, terror will also fail.
“Forces of darkness will never prevail over light. I call on all Nigerians to continue to pray and with God on our side, we shall overcome.”
Jonathan said the spate of insecurity would not stop the 2015 general elections.
“I remember when I was in my village this morning to collect my permanent voter’s card, and a pressman asked me whether there will be elections in Nigeria, I told him there would be elections in this country.
“This country will continue to move forward in spite of some of the setbacks we are witnessing.”
Insecurity rising because of election – Akpabio
Earlier this month, Senate President Godswill Akpabio also attributed the rising insecurity in the country to the forthcoming general election.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) corporate headquarters in Abuja on April 14, Akpabio said the insecurity in the country will subside shortly after the elections.
“You are seeing insecurity today; it’s even increasing because the election is coming. As soon as the election is over, watch out for the first two weeks; you won’t hear any bomb blasts because people are sponsoring it to distract you (Tinubu),” Akpabio said.
Akpabio appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with the current administration. “Let Nigerians be patient with you; you are doing the right thing,” he said.
Identify troublemakers for prosecution, Tinubu tells Plateau leaders
At the meeting with Plateau State leaders on Tuesday night, the President said the federal government would act once those instigating or financing the violence are identified.
“If you identify and you know the name of troublemakers, agents or provocateurs who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know.
“We will use the instrument of office to deal with them,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that security agencies would not hesitate to move against such persons once credible intelligence is provided, insisting that the cycle of violence in the state must be broken.
Tinubu also endorsed a newly constituted peace committee involving former governors of Plateau, directing them to work as a single body to review existing white papers on past conflicts and present consolidated recommendations for implementation.
“Call one another. Ignore the governor’s committee if you have to, or incorporate them. Take that white paper, go through it among yourselves and agree to implement it.
“If the ones you have chosen before now are not working, you have to mix and amend membership.
“Forget those committees you mentioned to me, if it’s not working, it’s not working. Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution,” he said.
The meeting follows a high-level engagement with the President in the wake of the Angwa Rukuba killings earlier this month.
DAILY TRUST.
