Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr George Agbakahi, has alleged that the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria is a direct result of politically sponsored terrorism. He further asserted that to effectively tackle the nation's multifaceted security challenges, the government must move beyond military solutions and identify and prosecute the Nigerian financiers who are funding terrorist activities from within the country.
Dr Agbakahi made these remarks during an appearance on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ programme, monitored in Abuja over the weekend. He argued that the roots of the nation's insecurity crisis run deep and predate the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he nonetheless credited with taking significant steps to confront the menace. “You see, the issue of insecurity in Nigeria didn’t emanate from the current administration.
Truly, the President is dealing with insecurity head-on,” Dr Agbakahi said. He maintained that the current administration has made considerable investments to strengthen the military, stating that President Tinubu has provided the armed forces with more armaments and equipment than any administration since 1999.
However, the APC chieftain, who is also the South East Leader of the Tinubu Support Organization (TSO), stressed that military hardware alone is not the solution. He pointed to the financial lifelines of terrorist and bandit groups, which he insisted are not primarily from external sources but from within Nigeria itself. “They don’t get their money fundamentally from external countries; they get it from Nigerians,” he said. “It’s important that we identify and stop the sponsors. Once that line is cut off, it will go a long way in addressing the insecurity situation.” This statement aligns with a growing chorus of voices, including the House of Representatives, which has repeatedly called on the federal government to publicly identify, sanction, and prosecute all individuals and entities funding terrorism and banditry.
While cautioning Nigerians against politicising the nation’s tragedy, Dr Agbakahi did suggest that some acts of violence may be politically motivated. He referenced ongoing security challenges in the North-East, particularly in Borno and Yobe states, describing them as long-standing issues.
He urged unity across party, ethnic, and religious lines, stating, “Insecurity is not about APC, not about PDP or any other party. We urge all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, political and religious affiliations, to come together and work collectively.” He further supported the government’s policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorists, calling it a step in the right direction, as negotiation would only encourage further attacks.
Dr Agbakahi’s assertion that insecurity is “politically sponsored” is not an isolated view. In recent months, other APC stalwarts have made similar accusations. In March, another APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, claimed on his Facebook page that the security crisis is “man made” and that politicians sponsor street urchins to create violence to “score cheap political points” after losing elections. This narrative of shadowy domestic financiers has also been echoed by senior legal figures. In November 2025, the renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun, faulted the government’s reluctance to publicly name and prosecute those responsible for funding destabilising forces, warning that this refusal only emboldens criminals and threatens national cohesion.
His comments come at a critical time, as the 2027 general election approaches and the security situation in Nigeria shows no signs of abating. The government has largely maintained a stance of military confrontation, launched under the banner of operations like FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West and HADIN KAI in the North-East. However, if Dr Agbakahi’s assessment is accurate, the nation’s battle against its armed enemies will be a much more complex civil war against its own citizens. The challenge for the government remains not just identifying the rank-and-file terrorists but unmasking the political masters who may be pulling the strings from the shadows.
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