A prominent group of elder statesmen and senior Nigerians operating under the banner of The Patriots has raised fresh concerns over worsening insecurity, widespread poverty, and what it described as the gradual collapse of leadership values and national institutions in Nigeria.
The group, after a meeting held at its Secretariat in Lagos, said the country was facing severe political, economic, and security challenges that require urgent structural reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a communique jointly signed by the Chairman of the group, Emeka Anyaoku, and Secretary-General, Olawale Okunniyi, The Patriots condemned the continued killings, kidnappings, and attacks on communities by armed bandits across several parts of the country.
It described the deteriorating security situation as alarming, noting that violent attacks have persisted in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, while similar threats are increasingly spreading into parts of the South-West.
According to the communique, the growing number of internally displaced persons and the abandonment of farmlands by farmers due to insecurity have compounded fears over food security nationwide.
“The federal government should now treat insecurity as a national protection, governance and economic survival crisis,” the group stated.
The Patriots consequently called for the establishment of a special committee to advise the federal government on practical measures to tackle the country’s multidimensional security crisis.
While acknowledging recent economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the group expressed concern that poverty levels remain extremely high, particularly in rural communities.
Citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, the communique noted that approximately 63 per cent of Nigerians currently live in multidimensional poverty.
The Patriots also renewed its long-standing demand for a new democratic constitution, insisting that the existing 1999 Constitution was imposed by the military and no longer reflects the aspirations and realities of Nigerians.
The group recalled that the position was reinforced during its National Summit held in Abuja in July 2024, which attracted participation from youth groups, women’s organisations, and cultural associations across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
According to the communique, many of Nigeria’s governance and political problems can only be effectively addressed through a constitution democratically produced by the Nigerian people.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the group criticised what it described as the lack of ideology among political parties, arguing that the trend has encouraged persistent defections by elected officials.
The Patriots said political parties are increasingly perceived merely as vehicles for acquiring political power and public office rather than institutions driven by principles and policy direction.
The group urged political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns instead of personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric capable of deepening national divisions.
It also expressed concern over what it termed the collapse of institutions and leadership values in the country, urging Nigerians to support only candidates and political parties committed to restructuring the nation’s governance system.
The group further warned that the international community would closely monitor the conduct of the 2027 elections at the federal, state, and local government levels.
The Patriots also criticised the rising cost of politics in Nigeria, particularly the high fees for nomination and expression of interest forms, which it said have effectively shut out ordinary Nigerians from participating in elections.
According to the group, many competent professionals, teachers, and patriotic citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to governance are unable to contest elections due to financial limitations.
Defending its call for a new constitution, the group argued that a properly structured constitutional framework would clearly define leadership responsibilities, strengthen accountability, and help curb corruption and misgovernance.
On electoral reforms, The Patriots reiterated its support for the introduction of independent candidacy in Nigeria’s electoral process.
