A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. George Agbakahi, has attributed the persistent insecurity in Nigeria to what he described as politically sponsored terrorism.
Speaking during a programme on Arise Television’s Prime Time, monitored in Abuja over the weekend, Agbakahi said the situation would be better addressed if the Federal Government identifies and prosecutes individuals funding terrorist activities.
He noted that insecurity in the country predates the current administration, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken significant steps to tackle the challenge.
“The issue of insecurity in Nigeria did not start with this administration. The President is confronting it head-on,” he said.
Agbakahi argued that insecurity has become deeply entrenched but maintained that the current government has made notable investments in strengthening the military.
“A lot of armaments and equipment have been provided to the military, possibly more than any administration since 1999,” he added.
He referenced ongoing security challenges in parts of the North-East, particularly Borno and Yobe states, describing them as long-standing issues rather than recent developments.
According to him, some acts of violence may be politically motivated, while also commending the government’s efforts to collaborate with international partners in tackling insecurity.
The APC chieftain stressed that security should not be politicised, urging Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious lines to unite against the threat.
“Insecurity is not about APC or PDP; it concerns all Nigerians. We must come together to address it collectively,” he said.
Agbakahi also backed the Federal Government’s stance against negotiating with terrorists, describing it as a strategic move to discourage further attacks.
“Negotiating with them would only embolden them to continue,” he noted.
He emphasized the need for improved intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, adding that cutting off financial support to terrorist groups is critical.
“They do not rely solely on external funding; much of their support comes from within. Identifying and stopping these sponsors will go a long way in addressing insecurity,” he said.
Agbakahi also commented on the proposed opposition alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the collaboration as unlikely to succeed.
He questioned the structure of the alliance, including leadership roles and the influence of other political figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi, both of whom have shown interest in the presidential race.
According to him, President Tinubu remains a stronger and more formidable candidate, citing his track record and what he described as a lack of cohesion within the opposition.
