Okpebholo Claims Northern Attacks Aim to Undermine Tinubu

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo said the recent rise in kidnappings and killings in parts of northern Nigeria is part of a deliberate plan to weaken the country and damage President Bola Tinubu’s government. He made the claim while meeting leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide at Government House in Benin City.

“What they are doing is to fuel kidnapping because they want to distract and discredit Mr President,” the governor stated. He said similar tactics were used against former President Goodluck Jonathan and that the aim now is to cause panic and harm the current administration.

Violence and kidnappings have forced authorities to close schools in several states, including Kebbi, Plateau, Niger and Kwara, as officials try to protect students. Okpebholo said such moves are meant to draw attention away from the government’s work, but he stressed the administration will not be sidetracked.

“No matter the intimidation, we will not succumb to blackmail. The president is resolute,” he added.

Some lawmakers and commentators have accused the attackers of trying to unsettle the government. Senator Sunday Karimi said recent bandit attacks in Niger and Kogi were meant “to cause panic and distract the president’s security agenda”. Former lawmaker Shehu Sani claimed many of the armed groups are local, naming some attackers as from northern and Fulani communities.

In response to the recent increase in violence, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered new recruitment into the Armed Forces to strengthen operations across the country.