The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has defended President Bola Tinubu over persistent insecurity in Nigeria, arguing that the challenges also confronted his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Army general.

Yari made the remarks during a visit to Kebbi State on Monday, where he met Governor Nasir Idris, traditional rulers and other APC leaders at the Emir of Gwandu’s palace in Birnin Kebbi.

According to Yari, Buhari’s inability to completely eliminate insecurity despite his military background should be considered when assessing the Tinubu administration’s response to the country’s security challenges.

“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?” Yari asked, while maintaining that Tinubu had made significant efforts to address the situation.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and kidnappings in several parts of the country. Although successive administrations have launched military and security operations, attacks and abductions remain major public concerns.

Yari also urged Nigerians to consider the role of collective responsibility and faith in addressing insecurity, suggesting that the challenge required more than government action alone.

The former Zamfara State governor used the visit to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections. He commended Governor Idris and other APC leaders for bringing traditional rulers together to receive the presidential campaign delegation.

Yari said the campaign council intended to work with individuals and groups willing to support the President’s second-term ambition, adding that the party was preparing to strengthen its political organisation across the country.

On the economy, Yari acknowledged that Nigerians were facing hardship but argued that the government’s policies were beginning to produce improvements. He cited what he described as declining inflation, lower fertiliser prices and cash transfers to vulnerable households as measures intended to ease economic pressure.

Governor Idris, in his response, expressed support for Tinubu and the APC, saying the Federal Government had undertaken projects from which Kebbi State had benefited. He also expressed confidence in the party’s political prospects in the state ahead of the next general election.

Yari’s comments come as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 polls. President Tinubu appointed him Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council in August, with the council tasked with coordinating campaign activities and promoting the administration’s record to voters.