If Buhari, a General, Couldn’t End Insecurity, What Do You Expect of Tinubu? – Yari

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has defended President Bola Tinubu over the persistent insecurity in the country.

According to the former Zamfara State Governor, Nigerians should consider the fact that former President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Army general, also struggled to eliminate the problem during his administration.

The former governor spoke during a visit to Kebbi State on Monday, where he met with Governor Nasir Idris, traditional rulers and other APC leaders at the Emir of Gwandu’s palace in Birnin Kebbi.

“If a retired general did his best but could not completely tackle insecurity, what do you expect of President Tinubu, who is not a general? Nevertheless, the President has done his utmost best to address the security challenges confronting the country,” he said.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, was a retired major general in the Nigerian Army before entering politics. His administration faced persistent security challenges, including Boko Haram’s insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and kidnappings across several parts of the country.

Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has also faced criticism over continuing attacks, kidnappings and other security threats. However, Yari argued that the challenges should not be viewed as the responsibility of the current president alone.

The APC campaign chief also urged Nigerians to reflect on their relationship with God, suggesting that addressing insecurity required collective responsibility in addition to government efforts.

Yari used the visit to commend Governor Idris and other party leaders for mobilising support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He expressed appreciation to the governor for bringing traditional rulers together to receive the presidential campaign delegation, describing their cooperation as important to the party’s electoral preparations.

“We are leading the campaign for the President’s re-election and other candidates of our party. We appreciate you for bringing the emirs together under one umbrella at the Emir of Gwandu’s palace,” Yari said.

“We recognise what you are doing as governors and your contributions towards ensuring victory for our party in 2027,” he added.

Yari said the campaign council would work with individuals and groups willing to support Tinubu’s re-election, regardless of their positions, as the APC intensifies preparations for the next presidential election.

He also expressed confidence in the party’s chances in Kebbi State, citing the support he observed during the visit.

On the economy, the former governor acknowledged that Nigerians were experiencing hardship but argued that the challenges were not peculiar to the country.

He claimed that inflation had declined and fertiliser prices had reduced, while the Federal Government was implementing measures, including cash transfers to vulnerable households, to ease the burden on citizens.

According to Yari, the measures were intended to strengthen the economy and improve living conditions for Nigerians.

He also pointed to challenges facing other countries, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, arguing that governments around the world continued to grapple with national concerns.

Yari urged Nigerians to recognise the efforts of the Tinubu administration and support its development agenda.

Responding, Governor Idris welcomed the APC Presidential Campaign Council delegation and expressed satisfaction with the gathering of party leaders and traditional rulers at the Emir of Gwandu’s palace.

He said the emirs had come together to demonstrate solidarity with the delegation and show their support for the ruling party.

Idris also maintained that Kebbi State had benefited from projects undertaken by the Federal Government under Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the initiatives provided further reasons for the state to support the President.

“We have no reason not to support the President. We have prominent leaders such as Sen. Atiku Bagudu, Sen. Adamu Aliero and Amb. Saidu Dakingari,” the governor said.

“You have seen the people of Kebbi and their overwhelming support. We are for the APC and we are for President Tinubu,” he added.

The governor expressed confidence that Kebbi would remain supportive of the APC as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.

Yari’s comments come as the ruling party intensifies preparations for Tinubu’s re-election campaign. In August, the President constituted the APC Presidential Campaign Council and appointed Yari as its Director-General.

Tinubu was named chairman of the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda were appointed vice chairmen. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named secretary.

The council brings together senior government officials, governors, lawmakers and party leaders tasked with coordinating the APC’s campaign activities across the country.

At the time of announcing the council, Tinubu urged its members to promote his administration’s record and convince Nigerians of the direction of its economic policies.

“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians,” the President said.

He also urged the campaign team to communicate the administration’s achievements to voters ahead of the election.

“As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation,” Tinubu added.