Anyaoku-led Patriots worried over insecurity ahead of 2027 polls

A pan-Nigerian group, The Patriots, led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, has expressed concern over worsening insecurity and the state of the nation ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Lagos on Thursday, the group lamented the persistent killings, kidnappings and attacks by bandits across several parts […]

A pan-Nigerian group, The Patriots, led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, has expressed concern over worsening insecurity and the state of the nation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Lagos on Thursday, 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 group said the situation poses a major threat to food security and national stability.

The Patriots 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.

While acknowledging ongoing economic reforms by the Federal Government and improvements in macroeconomic indicators, the group said poverty levels among Nigerians, especially in rural communities, remained unacceptably high.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the group noted that about 63 per cent of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor.

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.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the group criticised 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 further warned that the conduct of the 2027 elections would be closely monitored by the international community and urged the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and other relevant authorities to ensure credible and transparent elections.

The Patriots also expressed concern over the increasing cost of contesting elections and participating in politics, warning that money politics was excluding many credible Nigerians from leadership positions.