Pix: Senator Abdulaziz Yari

By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC), has challenged critics of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over insecurity, accusing previous administrations of failing to adequately address the security challenges that have confronted Nigeria for more than two decades.

Yari made the remarks on Saturday during the APC presidential rally in Jos, Plateau State, where he defended the Tinubu administration’s security policies and challenged opposition figures and other critics to account for their records in tackling insecurity when they held positions of authority.

He argued that those criticising the ruling party over the country’s security situation should acknowledge that the problem did not begin with the present administration, insisting that previous governments had also struggled to contain the threat.

“Those who are saying we don’t have a plan for security, I want to remind them that they did nothing about insecurity for over 20 years, because it started during their time,” Yari said.

The former Zamfara State governor maintained that the APC remained committed to implementing its manifesto, expressing confidence that the party would fulfil most of its promises before 2031.

He said the administration’s policies and programmes were designed to address the country’s challenges and improve the living conditions of Nigerians, adding that the party remained determined to deliver on its commitments.

Yari also used the occasion to express confidence in the APC’s political strength in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to him, prominent political stakeholders in the state had gathered at the rally to demonstrate their support for President Tinubu and assure the ruling party of victory in the state.

“The key players, active players in Plateau politics, are all here before you to give you the assurances that 2027 Plateau is 101 per cent assured,” he declared.

The APC campaign chief also praised President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly his handling of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenues, arguing that federal allocations had increased substantially since the President assumed office in May 2023.

Yari recalled that the Federation Account stood at approximately N732 billion in June 2023, shortly after Tinubu became President, but said allocations had subsequently risen to trillions of naira.

He attributed the development to what he described as the President’s hard work and leadership, expressing appreciation for the increased financial resources available for distribution among the three tiers of government.

“The person that met the Federation Account of Nigeria as at June 2023 at N732 billion, but today, we thank God, Mr President, we thank you for your hard work and your special leadership. We are now counting the Federation Account in trillions,” Yari said.

His remarks formed part of the APC’s broader efforts to defend the Tinubu administration’s performance, promote its achievements and consolidate political support ahead of the 2027 general election.

However, the country’s persistent security challenges remain a major issue in national political discourse, with Nigerians continuing to demand more effective measures to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.