The Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye, has claimed that the security problems facing Nigeria today are not natural but deliberately sponsored and orchestrated. According to him, some individuals in the country are fueling violence and kidnappings to discredit President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Senator Adeyeye made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. He was a guest speaker at the second Faculty of Administration Week and Mentorship 2025, where he also received a Lifetime Leadership Achievement Award from the faculty.
Speaking during his lecture titled “Mentorship: A Tool for Fostering Progressive Democracy,” Adeyeye warned that the rising cases of violence and kidnappings across the country were not random incidents. He insisted that they were part of a deliberate plan by certain “disgruntled Nigerians” who are determined to undermine the current administration.
According to him, these individuals fear that President Tinubu may have a smooth path to re-election in 2027 and are therefore working to create widespread insecurity to weaken public confidence in the government.
He said, “The recent violence and kidnappings in the country are being sponsored and orchestrated by some group of people who want to discredit this government and who probably are afraid that President Bola Tinubu is going to have an easy way in 2027.”
Adeyeye, a former Minister of Works, stressed that the insecurity affecting different parts of the country cannot be dismissed as normal criminal activity. According to him, the scale and patterns of attacks point to a larger plot against the Nigerian state.
He added that President Tinubu is fully aware of the seriousness of the situation and is not treating it lightly. Adeyeye expressed confidence that the actions being taken by the President will eventually expose the masterminds behind the violence.
“It is not ordinary, but I can assure you that at the moment, President Bola Tinubu is taking the situation very seriously,” he said.
The NPA board chairman explained that the Tinubu administration has introduced several strong security measures aimed at tackling the crisis. These measures include the deployment of more security personnel, improved supply of arms and ammunition, and the gradual development of state police structures.
Adeyeye believes that if these measures are properly implemented, they will bring a permanent end to the insecurity that has troubled the country for several years.
In his words, “The president has rolled out very serious security emergency programmes which I believe, if properly implemented with more boots on the ground, with more ammunition, with states having their own police, this problem will be solved and we will put it behind us once and for all.”
Nigeria has struggled with various forms of insecurity for more than a decade. The nation has faced attacks from Boko Haram in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, herder–farmer clashes in the Middle Belt, and rising cases of kidnapping across many states. These incidents have caused loss of lives, displacement of communities, and economic hardship.
In recent years, kidnappings for ransom have increased sharply, affecting travellers, students, and rural communities. Many analysts have blamed unemployment, poverty, and weak security institutions. Others point to political factors, including local power struggles and sabotage.
Senator Adeyeye’s comments add to the ongoing debate about the root causes of Nigeria’s insecurity. While some government officials have previously suggested political sabotage, his remarks provide one of the strongest claims yet from a senior figure close to the administration.
Beyond the security concerns, Adeyeye used his lecture to highlight the importance of mentorship and leadership development in sustaining democratic progress. He stressed that Nigeria needs strong institutions and committed leaders to guide its political system and protect it from individuals who may want to destabilize the country for personal gain.
The event at OAU brought together students, academics, and public officials, all focusing on leadership and youth development. The award presented to Adeyeye recognized his long career in public service, including his time in the Senate and his previous appointment as Minister of Works.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, political tensions are rising. Many political observers believe that the security situation will play a major role in shaping public opinion about the government’s performance.
President Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, has repeatedly promised to tackle insecurity, revive the economy, and restore investor confidence. His administration has launched various reforms, but insecurity remains one of the biggest challenges.
