Rising insecurity calculated to disrupt 2027 poll – Senator Karimi

Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi west, has alleged that there is a nexus between the spate of terrorist and bandit attacks across the country and forthcoming 2027 general election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Karimi said the rising insecurity is not unconnected with the timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly polls are scheduled for March 6, 2027.

The announcement has generated debate over a clash with the Muslim Ramadan fast, billed to hold between February 7 and March 8, 2027, with INEC considering seeking parliamentary guidance if adjustments outside statutory provisions become necessary.

Security operations are ongoing in Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and Taraba states, where President Bola Tinubu, through Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff, has deployed special forces.

“The correlation is all too glaring. Against all odds, President Bola Tinubu has continued to record landmark successes across sectors,” Karimi said.

“The economy is on the rebound; prices of products are lowering; government is paying university dons 40 per cent more than they previously earned; foreign reserves in less than three years are nestling close to $50Billion; the naira has dropped below N1400 to the dollar.

“Despite these heartwarming developments, certain perverts remain averse to the gradual resurgence of the socioeconomy.”

Karimi, who chairs the senate committee on services, said the Tinubu administration has welcomed foreign collaboration in addressing security challenges, citing intelligence-led operations and military cooperation with Turkey and neighbouring countries, including Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Benin Republic.

“It is reassuring that the Minister for Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa has hinted about possible recourse to our abundant pool of retired military personnel to secure ungoverned spaces across the country,” he said.

“These initiatives will complement the subsisting deployment of forest guards in parts of the country, another initiative of the Tinubu administration.

“Mr President has also approved the recruitment of 50,000 police constables to improve the personnel strength of the Nigeria Police Force, all in response to the nation’s security realities.”

The lawmaker assured that the national assembly would continue to support the president to deliver credible elections in 2027.

“Our country will overcome these challenges,” Karimi added.

“Our rebound within the past 32 months has been applauded by the World Bank at the level of the Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde, who commended the nation’s economic reforms as a global example of consistent and credible leadership.

“When a nation like Nigeria which provides the oxygen for growth in the subregion is getting it right, antagonists are not farfetched.

“Nigerians should rest assured by the President’s reassurance at the recent National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, that we shall overcome terrorism and insecurity.”(The Cable)