Yari defends Tinubu over insecurity, says retired general Buhari failed too

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has defended President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, arguing that former President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Army general, could not completely eliminate the problem despite his military background.

Yari said it was unfair to blame Tinubu solely for the security challenges confronting the country, insisting that the President was doing his best to address them.

“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.

Yari spoke on Monday during a visit to Kebbi State, where he met Governor Nasir Idris, traditional rulers and APC leaders in Birnin Kebbi as the ruling party intensifies mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He acknowledged the country’s security challenges but urged Nigerians to recognise the government’s efforts, adding that tackling insecurity required collective responsibility alongside government action.

The former Zamfara State governor also appealed to Nigerians to reflect on their relationship with God as part of efforts to address the crisis.

On the economy, Yari argued that the hardship facing Nigerians was not unique to the country, claiming that inflation had declined and fertiliser prices had fallen.

He said the Federal Government was implementing measures, including cash transfers to vulnerable households, to ease economic hardship and improve living conditions.

Yari cited the challenges faced by countries such as the United States and Saudi Arabia, urging Nigerians to appreciate the Tinubu administration’s efforts and support its development agenda.

The APC campaign council director-general also praised Kebbi’s political leaders for mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election, expressing confidence that the party would perform strongly in the state in 2027.

“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,” he said.

Yari added that the campaign council would work with individuals and groups committed to Tinubu’s re-election, regardless of their positions, to achieve the party’s objectives.

In his remarks, Governor Idris said Kebbi had benefited from federal government projects under Tinubu, adding that the initiatives had strengthened the state’s support for the President.

He cited prominent APC figures from the state, including Senator Atiku Bagudu, Senator Adamu Aliero and Ambassador Saidu Dakingari, as part of the leadership backing the party.

“We have no reason not to support the President. You have seen the people of Kebbi and their overwhelming support. We are for the APC and we are for President Tinubu,” Idris said.

The governor expressed confidence that Kebbi would maintain its support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.