President Bola Tinubu has described himself as a “very stubborn politician,” alleging that his opponents are exploiting insecurity in a bid to remove him from office.
Nigeria’s next presidential election is scheduled for January 2027, with Tinubu expected to seek a second term.
Insecurity has continued to escalate across parts of the country, with terrorists and bandits carrying out attacks, killings, and kidnappings for ransom.
Opposition parties have repeatedly criticised the administration for failing to effectively address the worsening security situation.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday night while receiving stakeholders from Plateau State led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Tinubu said he remains undeterred despite the criticism.
“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.
Like Tinubu, like Jonathan
Tinubu’s remarks echo a similar stance taken by former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general elections.
At a 2014 Democracy Day interdenominational church service in Abuja, Jonathan said the insurgency by Boko Haram was aimed at toppling his government.
At the time, the insurgency was at its peak in the North-East, marked by the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.
Jonathan told the congregation that without prayers, Nigeria could have suffered even more from the global wave of terrorism.
He said, “Without your prayers, it would have been worse. With your prayers, our (Chibok) girls will be seen by our security men.
“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 said the spate of insecurity would not stop the 2015 general elections.
“I remember when I was in my village this morning to collect my permanent voter’s card, and a pressman asked me whether there will be elections in Nigeria, I told him there would be elections in this country.
“This country will continue to move forward in spite of some of the setbacks we are witnessing.”
