Opposition Accused of Fueling Plateau Violence in Alleged Plot to Undermine Tinubu

A political advocacy group, the North Central Peace Advocates, has alleged that elements within Nigeria’s opposition are responsible for the recent wave of violence in Plateau State, claiming the unrest is part of a broader strategy to destabilize the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group’s president, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, made the allegations during a press briefing, where he condemned the ongoing bloodshed and called for urgent intervention by security agencies. According to Zazzaga, intelligence available to the group suggests that certain opposition actors are sponsoring attacks to create insecurity and erode public confidence in the federal government.

Plateau State has witnessed recurring violent clashes in recent months, leading to significant loss of lives and displacement of communities. While the root causes of the conflict have often been linked to longstanding ethnic, religious, and land-related tensions, Zazzaga insisted that the current escalation goes beyond communal disputes.

“This is no longer just a local crisis,” he said. “There are strong indications that powerful interests are exploiting existing divisions to achieve political objectives, particularly to weaken President Tinubu’s administration.”

Zazzaga further alleged that the violence is being strategically intensified to portray the federal government as incapable of maintaining security, thereby influencing public perception ahead of future political contests.

He called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the claims and bring any sponsors of violence to justice, regardless of their political affiliations. He also urged political leaders across party lines to refrain from actions or rhetoric that could inflame tensions in already volatile regions.

Reacting to the allegations, some opposition figures have dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. They argue that the security challenges in Plateau State are longstanding issues that predate the current administration and require comprehensive, non-partisan solutions.

Security experts, meanwhile, have cautioned against politicizing the crisis, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to peacebuilding in the region. They stress that addressing underlying grievances—such as competition over land, economic hardship, and weak local governance—remains critical to achieving lasting stability.

As the debate continues, residents of Plateau State remain the most affected, with many calling for immediate action to restore peace and protect lives and property.

The federal government has yet to issue an official response to the specific allegations, but authorities have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to tackling insecurity across the country.