The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that people attacking President Bola Tinubu and his supporters on social media are being paid, urging youths in the North to intensify grassroots mobilisation for the President’s re-election in 2027. Akpabio made the call on Wednesday when a

Akpabio made the call on Wednesday when a northern youth group, Arewa Revival Project, led by its coordinator, Mustafa Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

The group, whose members are drawn from the 19 northern states, presented an award to the Senate President in recognition of his contributions to nation-building.

Akpabio, while thanking the group for the recognition, urged its members to mobilise support for Tinubu at the grassroots, saying Nigerians should be made to appreciate the benefits of continuity in government.

He said, “Whatever we are doing today, we are doing it to stabilise your future and ensure the survival of Nigeria. So it is good that you are seeing it.

“It is not going to be easy for you because most of those who are attacking the President and attacking these young men on social media are being paid. You are not being paid.

“You may not be able to have the kind of energy and time with them. But once in a while, gather the youth together and let them see the truth and know the truth. That attacking government that is working well for them, trying to bring uncertainty is not the best.”

The former Akwa Ibom governor defended the President’s economic policies, including the tax reforms, arguing that the administration was working to diversify the economy away from its dependence on crude oil.

He said, “I expect the Nigerian youth to rise above social media propaganda because this President has managed to take us out of a mono-economy- an economy that was dependent only on crude oil. He has brought innovations to bear through the tax reform system, through tinkering with anachronistic laws.

“No President has achieved the level of development that he has done in this country today since independence. The naysayers will not want to say so. But I’m very proud, and members of the National Assembly are very proud. We hold our heads very high and say yes, we have given him a pass mark and that we have endorsed him to come for a second term in office.

“I give glory to God that Nigeria is still surviving and surviving because we have a President who thinks and somebody who wants to face challenges, and he is facing the challenges.

The Senate President urged the youths to take an active role in shaping the country’s future, arguing that the administration’s policies were intended to secure their long-term prospects.

He also accused some social media users criticising the President and his supporters of receiving payment for their activities, urging the youth group to counter what he described as propaganda by engaging Nigerians at the grassroots.

The 2027 general election is expected to feature Tinubu seeking a second term amid opposition efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Akpabio’s remarks underscore the administration’s appeal for grassroots mobilisation, particularly among young voters, as political parties begin preparations for the poll.

On insecurity, the Senate President said efforts were underway to improve the country’s security architecture, expressing optimism that the proposed establishment of state police would soon become a reality.

The creation of state police has been a major subject of debate in the country’s constitutional reform process, with proponents arguing that decentralised policing would enable states to respond more effectively to local security threats.

Akpabio said the constitutional amendment process was nearing completion, with several state Houses of Assembly having endorsed the proposal.

“As I speak with you now, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, it may not take us a month before we have a State Police system – decentralised policing in the country – because about 30 states have endorsed the amendment to the Nigerian constitution to bring about a State Police system, which will further increase the security of the nation.

“I always tell them that the devil that you see today, you will soon see them no more. Very soon, we shall overcome the insecurity that we face today. So feel confident as you go round campaigning,” Akpabio said.

Earlier, Ibrahim said the Senate President deserved the award because of his contributions to national development and the achievements of the National Assembly under his leadership.

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