Tunde Omoniyi
A coalition of elder statesmen and prominent Nigerians under the platform of the Patriots has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity, poverty, and declining national values in the country, calling for urgent structural reforms and the adoption of a new democratic constitution ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The concerns were contained in a communiqué issued after the group’s meeting held at its secretariat in Lagos, where members reviewed the state of the nation and deliberated on critical issues affecting governance, security, and national development.
The communiqué, jointly signed by the Chairman of the group, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and Secretary-General, Olawale Okunniyi, painted a disturbing picture of Nigeria’s security situation, condemning the persistent killings, kidnappings, and attacks on communities by bandits and other armed groups across different parts of the country.
According to the group, violent attacks have continued unabated in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, while insecurity is gradually spreading into parts of the South-West, thereby posing serious threats to national unity and stability.
The Patriots also lamented the growing number of internally displaced persons across the country, noting that widespread insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship nationwide.
The group urged the Federal Government to treat insecurity as a national emergency with grave implications for governance, economic survival, and public safety.
It also called for the establishment of a special advisory committee to support efforts aimed at addressing the country’s security challenges.
While acknowledging some of the economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government, the group maintained that poverty remains widespread and severe, particularly in rural communities.
Citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, the Patriots stated that about 63 per cent of Nigerians currently live in multidimensional poverty.
The organisation also renewed its demand for a new democratic constitution, insisting that the existing 1999 Constitution remains a product of military imposition and no longer reflects the collective aspirations and realities of Nigerians.
The group recalled that the position was strongly reaffirmed during its National Summit held in Abuja in July 2024, which attracted participants from youth groups, women organisations, and socio-cultural bodies from across the six geopolitical zones.
According to the communiqué, many of Nigeria’s recurring political and governance problems can only be permanently resolved through a constitution democratically produced by the Nigerian people themselves.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Patriots criticised the absence of ideology among political parties, arguing that the trend has encouraged frequent defections by elected public officials and weakened public confidence in the political system.
The group stated that many political parties now appear to exist mainly as vehicles for acquiring power and public office rather than institutions driven by principles and programmes.
It therefore urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns instead of resorting to personal attacks, divisive rhetoric, and inflammatory political conduct capable of threatening national peace and unity.
The Patriots also decried what it described as the collapse of public institutions and declining leadership values in the country, urging Nigerians to support only candidates and political parties genuinely committed to restructuring the nation’s governance architecture.
The group further warned that the conduct of the 2027 general elections at the federal, state, and local government levels would attract close scrutiny from the international community.
On electoral participation, the Patriots criticised the high cost of politics in Nigeria, arguing that exorbitant nomination and expression of interest fees have effectively excluded ordinary citizens from participating in the political process.
According to the group, many qualified Nigerians, including professionals, academics, and teachers capable of contributing meaningfully to governance, lack the financial capacity required to contest elections.
The Patriots maintained that the Federal Government has not done enough to effectively tackle insecurity across the country.
The group also defended its call for a new constitution, arguing that a properly structured constitutional framework would clearly define the powers and responsibilities of public office holders while helping to curb corruption, abuse of office, and misgovernance.
The Patriots equally renewed their support for independent candidacy, insisting that broader electoral reforms are necessary to make Nigeria’s democratic process more inclusive, participatory, and credible.