‘I Won’t Be Forced Out By Insecurity’ – Tinubu To Oppositions

President Bola Tinubu has described himself as a ‘very stubborn politician,’ alleging that his political opponents are exploiting the country’s worsening insecurity to force him out of office.

Tinubu, who is expected to seek re-election in the January 2027 presidential poll, made the remarks on Tuesday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving stakeholders from Plateau State led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

The President said he remains undeterred despite mounting criticism over the deteriorating security situation across parts of the country.

“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.

Nigeria has witnessed a surge in attacks by terrorists and bandits in recent times, with killings and kidnappings for ransom reported in several regions.
Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the administration of failing to effectively tackle the crisis.

Tinubu’s comments mirror a similar position taken by former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general elections.
At a 2014 Democracy Day church service in Abuja, Jonathan attributed the Boko Haram insurgency to attempts to destabilise his government.

“Without your prayers, it would have been worse. With your prayers, our (Chibok) girls will be seen by our security men,” Jonathan had said.

“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 had also insisted that insecurity would not derail the 2015 elections.
“This country will continue to move forward in spite of some of the setbacks we are witnessing,” he added.

Similarly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio recently linked the rising insecurity to the approaching general elections.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigerian Revenue Service corporate headquarters in Abuja on April 14, Akpabio said, “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).”

He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the administration, adding, “Let Nigerians be patient with you; you are doing the right thing.”

During his meeting with Plateau leaders, Tinubu directed stakeholders to help security agencies identify those behind the violence in the state.

“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,” he said.

He assured that security agencies would act decisively once credible intelligence is provided, stressing the need to end the cycle of violence.

The President also endorsed a newly constituted peace committee comprising former governors of Plateau State.
He urged members to work collectively to review existing white papers on past conflicts and present unified 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,” he said.

“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.”
The meeting followed recent high-level engagements with Plateau stakeholders after the killings in Angwa Rukuba earlier in the month, which heightened concerns over security in the state.