President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling insecurity and easing economic hardship, insisting that Nigeria will not yield to terror or criminal intimidation.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, presented Tinubu’s viewpoint on Sunday during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service, which was held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja as part of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
In a statement released on X, Akume, speaking on behalf of the president, stated that the administration is cognisant of the economic challenges that citizens face and is attempting to mitigate the impact through what he termed the distribution of democratic dividends.
According to him, the administration is concerned about Nigerians’ hardships.
“Government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” he said, adding that President Tinubu would intensify efforts to address the socio-economic challenges confronting the country.
On security, the SGF stated that the federal government remains committed to protecting lives and guaranteeing the safe release of people in captivity, stressing that security services are receiving assistance to respond to threats around the country.
He insisted that, despite continuous obstacles, the state would not succumb to criminal groups.
“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he said.
Akume also praised Nigeria’s 27 years of unbroken democracy from 1999, describing it as the result of the sacrifices of citizens and pro-democracy campaigners who struggled for its restoration.
He paid tribute to those who participated in the June 12 battle, emphasising that many were persecuted, injured, or killed in the process of establishing democratic governance.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, he urged Nigerians to reject violence, hate speech, and divisive politics, cautioning youth against being utilised for thuggery or disinformation.
“Do not rent out your conscience for money, drugs, political patronage or online applause. Your future is worth more than any politician’s temporary convenience,” he warned.
The SGF also urged religious leaders, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, the media, and families to encourage peace, tolerance, and responsible behaviour as the country prepares for another election cycle.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, were among the dignitaries in attendance.
