Isaac Samuel
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has suggested that the recent wave of insecurity across the country is tied to political activities ahead of the next general elections, insisting that the situation would ease once the polls are concluded.
Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday during the official inauguration of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) corporate headquarters in Abuja, an event attended by top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, who commissioned the facility.
According to him, President Tinubu’s administration is performing effectively, but alleged opposition elements are resorting to sponsoring insecurity due to political desperation.
He argued that the build-up to elections often triggers heightened tension, claiming that stability would return shortly after the electoral cycle. “Immediately after the election… the insecurity will stop,” he said, attributing current challenges to politically motivated actions.
The Senate President also took a swipe at the opposition, referencing the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and suggesting that internal divisions within opposition ranks were weakening their political influence.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the current administration, expressing confidence in ongoing reforms, particularly in the revenue sector.
Akpabio praised the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, describing him as an exceptional tax administrator whose reforms have gained public approval.
“Even in the Bible, people don’t like tax collectors, but he has done very well,” he said, noting that public perception of tax administration is improving under the current leadership.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
Others in attendance included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; members of the Federal Executive Council; and several state governors, among them Babagana Zulum, Charles Soludo, Caleb Mutfwang, Hope Uzodimma, and Usman Ododo.
The newly inaugurated NRS headquarters is a multi-storey complex comprising 16 floors across three towers, with capacity to house about 3,000 staff members. It is designed as part of the federal government’s broader tax administration reform agenda.
The transformation follows the signing of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act in June 2025 by President Tinubu, which effectively replaced the Federal Inland Revenue Service with the new Nigeria Revenue Service.
