Patriots Demand Urgent Action on Insecurity, Poverty, Electoral Reforms

 

By oluwaseyi fadoro 

The Patriots, a coalition of respected elder statesmen and concerned Nigerians chaired by Emeka Anyaoku, have called for urgent national action to address worsening insecurity, deepening poverty, and flaws in Nigeria’s political system ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a communiqué released after their meeting in Lagos on Thursday, the group decried the persistent wave of killings, kidnappings, and attacks on communities by bandits across several regions of the country, particularly the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South-West.

The group warned that the increasing displacement of citizens and the inability of farmers to safely return to their farmlands were worsening the country’s food security challenges and humanitarian crisis.

According to the Patriots, insecurity should now be treated as a major national emergency affecting governance, public safety, and economic survival. They therefore urged the Federal Government to establish a special advisory committee to develop comprehensive solutions to the crisis.

While commending ongoing economic reforms by the Federal Government, the group expressed concern over the harsh living conditions faced by millions of Nigerians, especially in rural communities. The communiqué cited National Bureau of Statistics data indicating that approximately 63 percent of the population remains multidimensionally poor.

The Patriots also reiterated their longstanding position that Nigeria’s challenges can only be effectively resolved through comprehensive restructuring and the adoption of a new people-oriented democratic constitution.

They argued that the current constitutional arrangement, rooted in the 1999 Constitution introduced under military rule, has failed to provide an effective framework for national unity, development, and good governance.

Commenting on preparations for the 2027 elections, the group criticised the lack of ideological direction among political parties, noting that frequent defections by politicians have weakened public confidence in the nation’s democratic process.

The Patriots urged political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.

They also appealed to Nigerians to support candidates and parties committed to meaningful constitutional and governance reforms.

The communiqué further stressed that the international community would closely observe the conduct of the 2027 elections and urged the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent and credible process.

The group additionally raised concerns over the escalating cost of contesting elections, warning that it continues to exclude many competent and credible Nigerians from political participation.