Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West, on Saturday alleged a “nexus” between the recent surge in terrorist and bandit attacks across Nigeria and plans to disrupt next year’s general elections.
Karimi said the uptick in insecurity appeared linked to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable, which schedules the presidential and national assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls for March 6, 2027. The dates have drawn attention because they fall within Ramadan, provisionally set for February 7 to March 8, 2027, prompting INEC to consider seeking parliamentary guidance if adjustments outside statutory windows become necessary.
“The correlation is all too glaring,” Karimi said, praising what he described as the Tinubu administration’s “landmark successes” across sectors. He cited improving economic indicators, a rise in university lecturers’ pay, growing foreign reserves approaching $50 billion, and a naira exchange rate below N1,400 to the dollar.
“Despite these heartwarming developments, certain perverts remain averse to the gradual resurgence of the socioeconomy,” the senator said.
Karimi, chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, highlighted ongoing security operations in Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and Taraba states and said President Bola Tinubu, through Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu, has deployed special forces. He also pointed to intelligence-led operations and military cooperation with Turkey and neighbouring countries, including Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin.
The senator welcomed remarks by Defence Minister Maj.-Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa on the possible use of retired military personnel to secure ungoverned spaces, and noted government initiatives such as the deployment of forest guards and the planned recruitment of 50,000 police constables to bolster the Nigeria Police Force.
Karimi said the National Assembly would continue to support the president’s efforts to deliver credible elections in 2027. “Our country will overcome these challenges,” he added, citing praise for Nigeria’s economic reforms from World Bank Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde.
“Nigerians should rest assured by the President’s reassurance at the recent National Economic Council meeting, that we shall overcome terrorism and insecurity,” Karimi said.
