The Patriots, a pan-Nigerian group, has expressed concern about worsening insecurity and the state of the nation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, in a communiqué issued after its meeting in Lagos on Thursday, said the situation poses a major threat to food security and national stability.
The group lamented the persistent killings, kidnappings, and attacks by bandits across several parts of the country, particularly in the Northeast, Northwest, North Central, and parts of the Southwest.
The communiqué, signed by Anyaoku and the Secretary-General of the group, Olawale Okunniyi, warned that the growing insecurity was forcing more Nigerians into internally displaced person (IDP) camps while also preventing farmers from accessing their farmlands.
The Patriots acknowledged the ongoing economic reforms by the Federal Government and improvements in macroeconomic indicators; however, they said poverty levels among Nigerians, especially in rural communities, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, that about 63 percent of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor.
It urged the Federal Government to treat insecurity as a national governance and economic survival crisis, calling for the establishment of a special committee to advise on measures needed to tackle the challenge.
The Patriots also renewed their call for the restructuring of Nigeria’s governance system, insisting that the country’s current constitutional arrangement has failed to address its numerous challenges.
The group said Nigeria needs a new democratic constitution produced by representatives specifically elected by citizens on a non-party basis.
On 2027 general elections, the group faulted the absence of ideological politics among political parties, noting that frequent defections by politicians had reinforced the perception that parties exist mainly as vehicles for acquiring power and public office.
The Patriots urged political parties to focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.
It also called on Nigerians to support candidates and parties committed to restructuring the country’s governance system.
The group urged the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and other relevant authorities to ensure credible and transparent elections in 2027 as the conduct of the elections would be closely monitored by the international community.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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