Abuja—President Bola Tinubu declared he is a "stubborn politician who refuses to go" despite escalating violence across Nigeria, claiming enemies are exploiting the security crisis to force him from power.
The defiant statement, circulated widely on social media, comes as jihadist attacks, kidnappings, and the discovery of mass graves intensify pressure on Nigeria's government. President Tinubu told supporters his critics "want to use insecurity in the country to get rid of me," vowing to campaign for a second term in 2027.
The irony is not lost on Nigerians who remember Tinubu's own rhetoric. When Goodluck Jonathan led Nigeria, Tinubu—then positioning himself as a "champion of democracy"—virulently attacked the president over security failures and led nationwide protests demanding Jonathan's resignation. "When Goodluck Jonathan led this once great nation, Tinubu called for his resignation and led protests," one widely-shared post noted. "Right now as the nation is burning to the ground, he says his enemies want to use insecurity to get rid of him."
Security analysts describe the current crisis as among Nigeria's worst in decades. Jihadist groups operate with near-impunity across northern regions, conducting village raids and mass kidnappings. The discovery of mass graves in multiple states has shocked the nation, raising questions about both militant violence and potential extrajudicial killings. In Lagos and other southern cities, residents express growing frustration with a government that appears unable—or unwilling—to protect its citizens.
"How can a president sit there and lead a country where bodies are being buried in huge holes like that?" asked one resident in an online forum, capturing widespread anger.
