senator Sunday steve Karimi
Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Steve Karimi has alleged that the recent resurgence of terrorism and banditry across parts of Nigeria is politically motivated and strategically timed to destabilize the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Busayo Tosin, the lawmaker reacted to recent attacks and rising security threats in several states, particularly in parts of Kwara State, where communities have reportedly been displaced and hundreds abducted in coordinated assaults.
Karimi argued that Nigerians must not overlook what he described as the “suspicious timing and pattern” of the renewed violence, especially following the release of the 2027 election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on March 6, 2027. According to the Senator, the announcement of the electoral calendar appears to have unsettled forces uncomfortable with the current political direction of the country.
“Let us not deceive ourselves,” Karimi said. “When a government begins to stabilize the economy, restore investor confidence, and reposition the country for growth, those who profit from chaos become uncomfortable. What we are witnessing is not random violence — it is a deliberate attempt to create fear and undermine 2027.”
He maintained that insecurity is increasingly being weaponized to erode public confidence and create an atmosphere of uncertainty ahead of the polls. According to him, such tactics are designed to intimidate voters, destabilize affected regions, and weaken faith in democratic institutions.
The Senator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and decisive restructuring of the nation’s security framework. He noted that significant policy shifts often generate resistance from entrenched interests.
“The Nigerian people can see the direction of travel,” Karimi stated. “Economic reforms are taking root, institutional restructuring is ongoing, and security operations have intensified. Those who cannot win the argument politically may be attempting to weaponize insecurity.”
Karimi emphasized that the Federal Government has strengthened Nigeria’s security architecture in response to evolving threats. He cited the deployment of special military battalions to troubled states, ongoing reorganization within the Armed Forces, and a strategic review of operational tactics.
He further referenced the approval for the recruitment of 50,000 additional police constables to bolster internal security nationwide. The government, he added, is also considering the engagement of retired military personnel to secure ungoverned and forested spaces frequently exploited by criminal groups. These measures, alongside strengthened regional and international security partnerships, reflect what he described as a proactive and comprehensive approach.
According to the Senator, the National Assembly remains committed to supporting all constitutional and budgetary measures necessary to fortify the nation’s security apparatus ahead of the elections.
“Nigeria is bigger than the ambitions of those who thrive on instability,” he declared. “The 2027 elections will hold, and they will be credible. No amount of intimidation, terror, or political sabotage will prevent Nigerians from exercising their constitutional rights.”
Karimi urged security agencies to intensify intelligence-driven operations, dismantle criminal networks, and ensure that vulnerable communities receive adequate protection. He also called on citizens to remain vigilant, resist misinformation, and cooperate with lawful authorities.
“The message must be clear,” he concluded. “Nigeria will not be held hostage. Democracy will prevail.”
The Senator expressed confidence that with sustained political will, coordinated security efforts, and public cooperation, the country will overcome its current challenges and conduct peaceful, credible elections in 2027.