A group calling itself the Group of Concerned Nigerians has urged the government, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and the private sector to tackle the country's insecurity and safeguard civic rights. In a press statement released on Wednesday, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as increasing threats to the Nigerian nation and the desire to share these concerns with fellow citizens.
The statement was signed by prominent figures including Husseini Abdu, Fatima Balla, Usman Bugaje, Ibrahim Gambari, Yahaya Hashim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Attahiru Jega, Mohammed Kuna, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, and Kabiru Yusuf. The group warned that Nigeria is at a dangerous crossroads, where rising insecurity, alarming electoral manipulation by the government, and the weakening of democratic institutions are converging into a national crisis that threatens the country's survival.
Key Issues Raised
The group highlighted several critical issues, including threats to the principle of separation of powers, lack of judicial independence and integrity, and the executive government's lack of accountability and erosion of institutional independence. These factors, they argued, create a crisis of political exclusion and impunity, leading to violent extremism, organized crime, and communal conflict.
Recommendations
To mitigate these challenges, the group proposed several measures. First, the government must recognize that insecurity in the Sahel fuels the Nigerian crisis and that rapprochement between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and ECOWAS is crucial for Nigeria's national interest. They called for regional security cooperation and intelligence sharing between Nigeria and Sahel states. Additionally, they recommended youth employment initiatives and local conflict resolution mechanisms to address the root causes of radicalization and insecurity. The group also proposed the deployment of a Special Envoy for the Sahel to rebuild trust between Nigeria, the AES, and ECOWAS.
Civil society organizations and the private sector were urged to sensitize the public and demand accountability. Traditional leaders and clergy were called upon to promote peaceful coexistence, solidarity, and interfaith dialogue to arrest the slide into criminality and civil disorder. Professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), unions, and civic groups were encouraged to set up mechanisms for engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure transparent and credible elections in 2027.
Role of the Judiciary
The group also emphasized the need for an independent judiciary. They urged the NBA to ensure lawyers behave professionally, monitor courtrooms, and ensure politicians follow due process. The National Judicial Council (NJC) was called upon to hold judges accountable for their election rulings.
Insecurity and Election Irregularities
Insecurity and election irregularities remain pressing issues in Nigeria. Since 2009, the country has faced insecurity from Boko Haram attacks, which have escalated and spread to other regions. Beyond insurgency and terrorism, Nigeria has also grappled with farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, abductions, and kidnappings in the northern and southern parts of the country. This insecurity has led to internal displacement of many Nigerians and loss of livelihoods, deeply impacting national growth and development. The right to education has also been affected, with children being abducted in Askira-Uba, Borno, and Oyo states on May 15, some as young as two years old. Twenty-five days later, they remain in captivity, adding to the list of child abductions since the Chibok girls' abduction in 2014.
While these issues persist, some Nigerians believe good leadership can help curb them, but mistrust in the electoral process remains a major obstacle.
