The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said President Bola Tinubu will not allow insecurity to undermine his chances in the 2027 general elections, citing lessons from the 2015 defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The party said measures are being implemented to strengthen national security.
APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Ibrahim, made the remark in reaction to rising insecurity in various parts of the country. He stated that the party is aware of the consequences of unchecked violence and would not allow a repeat of 2015, when insecurity contributed to the fall of the then-administration.
According to him, the President has deployed key officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to affected regions to combat insecurity. He attributed the current security challenges in part to strained relationships with Nigeria’s francophone neighbours, which he said have affected the effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF).
Meanwhile, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the federal government to collaborate with state governors to urgently develop new strategies to address the country’s security challenges. In a communiqué issued after a caucus meeting in Akure, the group urged the National Security Adviser to work closely with regional leaders to curb rising insecurity.
Afenifere also advocated strengthening local security networks such as Amotekun in the South-West, increased use of technology like drones, and a redesign of the security architecture. The group further emphasized the importance of multi-level policing and proposed greater agricultural support to ease food insecurity.
Similarly, the Northern Senators Forum has condemned recent attacks in Plateau and Benue States, vowing to resist attempts to normalize violence in the region. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the forum expressed concern over the increasing death toll in Bokkos Local Government Area and pledged collaboration with security agencies to restore peace.
Also on Monday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluyemi Oluyede, visited affected communities in Plateau State, assuring residents of increased military presence and the arrest of perpetrators. He was accompanied by senior officers, including Major General Folusho Oyinlola, Commander of Operation Safe Haven.
Oluyede said the military would remain neutral and professional while urging peaceful coexistence. Major General Oyinlola warned against further attacks and emphasized that violent acts would be met with decisive action.
A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, attributed the persistent violence to intelligence failure, low manpower, and inadequate deployment of modern security technology. He called for the arming of vetted community members as a first line of defense and urged the federal government to withdraw security aides from politicians to compel legislative action on national security.
Ejiofor also questioned the motives of the attackers and highlighted the need for deeper investigations and implementation of previous inquiry reports. He emphasized avoiding ethnic narratives and stressed that all Nigerians deserve protection.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said the attacks are widespread and not limited to Bokkos. He noted that while various stakeholders have made peace efforts, some actors continue to derail progress.
