1. Introduction

Distinguished members of the press, partners in the civic space, compatriots,

We gather at a moment when the Nigerian nation is crying out for truth, courage, and principled leadership. The warning by Chinua Achebe — that democracy requires both a morally grounded leadership and a vigilant, educated citizenry — has never been more urgent.

Across the country, citizens are grappling with fear, hunger, disillusionment, and a deepening sense that the social contract has been broken. The signs of strain are everywhere: in the insecurity that stalks communities, in the collapsing economy, in the shrinking civic space, and in the despair etched on the faces of ordinary Nigerians.

This is not a time for silence. It is a time for clarity. Today, Nigeria is living through a moment that demands clarity, courage, and conscience. CHRICED stands here today to confront the truth, because as James Baldwin reminds us, “nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

2. General Political Situation

2.1 A Republic Under Siege

Nigeria is experiencing a security breakdown so severe that it threatens the very foundations of the republic. The state’s inability to protect its citizens has turned vast regions into ungoverned spaces where armed groups operate with alarming freedom. The country is, in effect, facing an undeclared war — engulfed by a wave of violence that has transformed many communities into killing fields.

Since January 2026, the situation has deteriorated sharply. More than 1,100 people have been abducted, while countless civilians and security personnel have been killed in attacks carried out by armed groups across multiple regions. In the Northeast, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to launch coordinated assaults on communities and military formations. In the Northwest and North Central, banditry has evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise marked by mass kidnappings, village raids, and targeted killings.

The southern region has also witnessed rising insecurity, with incidents of kidnapping, violent clashes, and attacks linked to various armed groups and criminal networks. No part of the country is insulated from the expanding geography of violence.

This is not merely a security challenge — it is a national tragedy and a full‑blown emergency. The scale and persistence of these attacks have eroded public trust, undermined confidence in government, and weakened the legitimacy of state institutions. Millions of Nigerians now live in fear, uncertain whether the state can or will protect them.

2.2 Plateau and the Expanding Geography of Death

The killings in Plateau State, including the March 29, 2026 attack in Angwan Rukuba, are part of a broader and deeply disturbing pattern of violence spreading across the Middle Belt and beyond. The fact that over 28 people were killed in a single night, as documented by Human Rights Watch, [1] reflects a level of brutality that defies comprehension.

These tragedies are not isolated. They form a grim tapestry of mass displacement, destroyed livelihoods, and near‑total impunity. The Guardian Newspaper reports that the December 2023 Plateau Christmas massacres claimed nearly 200 lives, while the June 2025 Yelwata killings in Benue left over 100 people dead in coordinated attacks on farming communities. [2]

As if these horrors were not enough, on April 11, 2026, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike intended to target Islamist militants in the Jilli axis of the Borno border struck a bustling market instead. Reports suggest that between 100 and 200 civilians may have been killed. This catastrophic error underscores the depth of Nigeria’s security dysfunction — where citizens are now caught between the brutality of insurgents and the deadly mistakes of the very forces meant to protect them.

2.3 The Death of Brigadier Braimah

The death of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah on April 9, 2026, stands as one of the most devastating indicators of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. According to reports, Brigadier Braimah was killed during a coordinated terrorist assault on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State. The attackers — suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters — launched a well‑planned offensive that overwhelmed the base, resulting in the deaths of the Brigadier and several soldiers under his command.

This was not merely another tragic incident in a long list of security failures. It was a symbolic rupture — a moment that exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s defence architecture. When a senior military officer, operating within what should be a fortified command environment, is overrun and killed by insurgents, it sends a chilling message about the state of national security. The question, therefore, if a Brigadier can be ambushed and killed, what hope remains for ordinary citizens?

The implications of this attack are profound:

• It reveals internal vulnerabilities within the military’s operational command structure — from intelligence failures to inadequate fortification and compromised planning.
• It exposes the erosion of morale among frontline troops, who are left with a sense of abandonment when their commanders fall in battle.
• It underscores the growing boldness of insurgent groups, who now demonstrate the capacity to strike high‑value targets with precision and confidence.
• It deepens public anxiety, reinforcing the perception that no one — civilian or military — is safe.

This tragedy is not just about the loss of a single officer. It is a mirror reflecting the systemic failures that have allowed insecurity to metastasize across the country. It raises urgent questions about leadership, strategy, intelligence coordination, equipment, and political will.

The death of Brigadier Braimah must therefore be seen as a national alarm bell — a stark reminder that Nigeria’s security crisis has reached a crisis point where even the walls of military command are no longer impenetrable. It is a call for accountability, reform, and a complete rethinking of the nation’s security architecture.

2.4 Symbolism Without Substance

Citizens watch with dismay as official responses appear disconnected from the gravity of the situation. Reports have noted that high‑profile visits by national leaders to conflict zones have done nothing to restore confidence. Rather, such visits have been more of mockery to victims than consolation. The example where the President spent only 10 minutes in Plateau and asked victims’ families to meet him at the airport — reflects a disconnect between leadership and lived reality.

Symbolism cannot replace empathy. Photo opportunities cannot substitute for policy.

2.5 Harassment of Opposition and Echoes of Past Republics

Across the country, opposition parties and dissenting voices report harassment, intimidation, and selective enforcement of laws. Analysts have drawn parallels with the political tensions that preceded the collapse of first and second republics.

The independence of the electoral umpire remains a recurring concern. Commentators have pointed to patterns of inconsistency and perceived bias in the conduct of elections, warning that democracy cannot thrive where the playing field is uneven. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” Nigeria must remain vigilant.

2.6. Shrinking Civic Space and the Peril of Truth‑Telling

Civil society organisations and journalists continue to face a shrinking civic space. Investigative journalists operate under increasing threats, surveillance, and intimidation. This environment stifles accountability and weakens the public’s right to know. Human Rights Watch notes that insecurity thrives partly because perpetrators are rarely prosecuted, and journalists who expose these failures face hostility.

As George Orwell warned, “Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose.” Nigeria must not drift into a climate where truth becomes dangerous. Orwell further warned us that: “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.”

3. Normalisation of Corruption: When Accountability Is Reversed

CHRICED is deeply concerned about the growing normalisation of corruption in public life. Across the country, citizens have expressed shock at a troubling trend: individuals who have faced serious allegations of wrongdoing — and who, in a functional justice system, would still be answering to the law — are instead being elevated to prestigious public positions, including foreign diplomatic postings.

This practice undermines the moral authority of the Nigerian state. As one editorial observed, when individuals who should be undergoing trial or accountability processes become the face of Nigeria abroad, it sends a message that “integrity is optional, and consequences are negotiable.”

This trend has profound implications:

• It erodes public trust in the justice system, suggesting that accountability is selective.
• It damages Nigeria’s international reputation, as foreign missions are expected to embody national values.
• It discourages honest public servants, who see that merit is often overshadowed by political patronage.
• It signals to young people that corruption is not a barrier to advancement.

The late Chinua Achebe warned in his book, The Trouble with Nigeria that “the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” When individuals with unresolved corruption cases are rewarded with high office, it reinforces this warning with painful clarity.

CHRICED stresses that diplomatic appointments must reflect the highest standards of integrity, because ambassadors are not just officials — they are symbols of the nation’s character. As the saying goes, “A nation that honours its thieves invites its children to become apprentices.” Nigeria must break this cycle.

4. The Economic Squeeze: When Survival Becomes a Daily Battle

4.1. A Generation in Limbo: Youth Unemployment

Nigeria’s youth unemployment crisis has reached catastrophic proportions. While figures vary, independent analysts estimate that well over 50% of young Nigerians are unemployed or underemployed, leaving millions in despair. Millions of young people—full of potential—are trapped in idleness, frustration, and despair. Many commentators describe this as a “wasted generation,” not because the youth lack talent, but because the system has failed to provide opportunities. And so long the Nigerian State failed to provide for the youth, we will continue to grapple with insecurity and destabilization.

4.2. Hyperinflation and the Spread of Poverty

Inflation has pushed basic commodities far beyond the reach of ordinary families. The multidimensional poverty confronting millions is no longer an abstract economic indicator — it is a daily reality of hunger, homelessness, and deepening hopelessness. Prices of essential goods continue to rise relentlessly. Petrol now sells between ₦1,350 and ₦1,500, while diesel goes for over ₦2,000 depending on the location. A bag of cement, which cost ₦3,600–₦4,000 in 2023, now sells for slightly above ₦12,000.

These are not just numbers; they represent the painful choices families are being forced to make. Parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. Many are withdrawing their children from school because they can no longer afford fees or transportation. Households that once lived modestly are now struggling simply to survive.

This widespread hardship stands in stark contradiction to Nigeria’s abundant natural and human resources. The deepening poverty across the country is a reminder that economic mismanagement has real human consequences — consequences felt most acutely by those with the least.

4.3. Extravagance in the Midst of Misery

Even as citizens struggle to survive, reports of lavish government spending continue to emerge — long convoys, frequent foreign trips, inflated contracts, and unnecessary luxuries. This level of excess, displayed in the midst of widespread hardship, is nothing short of an insult to the suffering of the poor. At a time when families are skipping meals and communities are drowning in poverty, such extravagance reflects a profound disconnect between those in power and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

4.4. Borrowing Without Boundaries

Nigeria’s debt profile continues to rise sharply, with borrowing now treated as the default response to every fiscal challenge. Instead of strategic planning or prudent financial management, loans have become the government’s first resort. Meanwhile, citizens are burdened with increasing taxes and levies, even as public infrastructure collapses around them. Many Nigerians fear that the country’s future is being mortgaged without transparency, accountability, or a credible plan for repayment. The result is a growing sense that the next generation will inherit a nation weighed down by debt and devoid of opportunity.

5. Broken Social Foundations: Education, Health, and Human Dignity

5.1 The Vanishing Classroom

Nigeria’s population of out‑of‑school children—already among the highest in the world—continues to rise at an alarming rate. Economic hardship, widespread insecurity, and mass displacement are pushing countless children out of classrooms and into uncertainty. This is not just an educational crisis; it is a direct threat to the country’s long‑term stability and development. As Nelson Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” When millions of children are denied this weapon, the nation’s future is placed in jeopardy.

5.2 Children of the Streets

Across many cities, especially in the northern region, the streets are now filled with children begging simply to survive. This is more than a social tragedy — it is a national emergency unfolding in plain sight. These vulnerable children face daily risks of exploitation, trafficking, abuse, and a lifetime trapped in poverty. The warning by Chief Obafemi Awolowo that “the children we failed to educate today will become the nightmare of the nation tomorrow” is no longer a distant caution. It is a reality manifesting before our eyes, reflecting the consequences of systemic neglect and failed social protection.

5.3 Education in Ruins

Nigeria’s public education system is collapsing under the weight of chronic neglect. Schools across the country suffer from inadequate funding, dilapidated infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and teachers who are poorly motivated due to irregular salaries and lack of support. The quality of learning continues to deteriorate, leaving millions of children without the foundational skills they need to thrive. This widening educational decay deepens inequality, as only the wealthy can afford quality schooling while children from poor households are left behind. A nation that abandons its public schools is a nation actively undermining its own future.

5.4 A Dangerous Place to Give Birth

Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for women to give birth. Maternal and infant mortality rates remain alarmingly high, and many health facilities lack even the most basic equipment needed to save lives. The mass exodus of medical professionals — driven by poor working conditions, insecurity, and inadequate remuneration — has further crippled an already fragile health system. Yet, despite these glaring warning signs, there is no meaningful effort by the government to reverse the trend or strengthen healthcare delivery. The result is a system where giving birth becomes a life‑threatening gamble rather than a moment of joy.

5.5. Forced Evictions and the Disappearing Indigenous Communities

Reports of forced evictions of indigenous communities — especially in Abuja — continue to raise serious concerns. These evictions often occur without compensation, resettlement, or due process, deepening homelessness, marginalisation, and social exclusion. The growing tendency of political actors to push the poor out of sight is deeply troubling. In every functional society, the rich and the poor coexist; the role of the state is to protect all citizens, not to intimidate, displace, or silence the vulnerable.

What we are witnessing today contradicts the very essence of governance. Every citizen deserves dignity, security, and a place to call home. The political, economic, and cultural rights of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants must be respected, protected, and fully integrated into governance processes. Their displacement is not only unjust — it is an assault on history, identity, and the principles of equity and justice.

6. PATHWAYS TO RENEWAL: CHRICED’s Recommendations

Nigeria’s renewal requires coordinated action across all sectors of society. CHRICED therefore outlines the following responsibilities for key actors:

A. Recommendations to the Government

• Undertake a comprehensive security overhaul that prioritises intelligence‑driven operations, community‑centred strategies, and strict accountability for security failures.
• Adopt prudent, transparent, and people‑centred public spending, eliminating wasteful expenditures and redirecting resources to essential services.
• Invest massively in job creation, particularly for young people, through skills development, innovation hubs, and support for small and medium enterprises. In addition, introduce social security measures and unemployment benefits to protect vulnerable citizens and provide a safety net for those temporarily out of work.
• Increase funding for education and healthcare, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that institutions are strengthened to deliver quality services.
• Protect civic space by upholding constitutional rights, ending harassment of journalists and activists, and ensuring freedom of expression.
• Respect the rights of Abuja indigenous communities, including fair compensation for land, protection from forced evictions, and inclusion in governance processes.
• Strengthen the judiciary to ensure independence, timely justice delivery, and accountability for corruption and human rights violations.

B. Recommendations to Political Parties

• Promote internal democracy, ending the practice of imposed “consensus” candidacies and ensuring transparent, competitive primaries.
• Develop clear policy platforms that address insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare, and poverty, rather than relying on personality‑driven politics.
• Respect the rule of law and refrain from using state institutions to intimidate opponents or silence dissent.
• Build party structures that encourage youth and women’s participation, ensuring that leadership reflects Nigeria’s diversity.
• Commit to ethical leadership, ensuring that individuals with unresolved corruption allegations are not elevated to public office.

C. Recommendations to INEC

• Strengthen institutional independence and resist political interference, especially at a time when public trust in the Commission is under intense scrutiny.
• Address growing public concerns regarding the neutrality of the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, whom various commentators, civil society groups, and sections of the public have raised questions about his perceived closeness to the ruling party, APC. These concerns have generated widespread debate about the Commission’s impartiality.
• CHRICED joins millions of Nigerians who believe that, in the interest of preserving the integrity of the electoral process and protecting his own reputation, the INEC Chairman should step aside. This call reflects the principle that the credibility of an election management body depends not only on its actions, but also on public confidence in its leadership.
• INEC must refrain from using the institution to defend or shield its Chairman from public scrutiny. A national institution should not be deployed as a personal defence mechanism for any individual, no matter how highly placed.
• Improve transparency in election administration, including timely publication of results, clear communication, and strict adherence to electoral guidelines.
• Invest in technology and logistics to ensure credible, accessible, and efficiently managed elections.

• Engage citizens and civil society in continuous voter education to reduce misinformation and strengthen public trust.
• Ensure accountability for electoral misconduct, including prosecution of officials or individuals who undermine the integrity of elections.

D. To the Judiciary

• Uphold the rule of law without fear or favour, ensuring justice is timely, impartial, and accessible to all.
• Resist political pressure and safeguard judicial independence as a cornerstone of democracy.
• Prioritise corruption cases, human rights violations, and electoral disputes to restore public confidence.
• Modernise court processes through digital systems to reduce delays and improve transparency.
• Ensure that judicial officers are adequately supported, protected, and held to the highest ethical standards.

E. Recommendations to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)

• Continue defending civic space by monitoring government actions, exposing abuses, and advocating for human rights and accountability.
• Expand community‑based engagement, ensuring that marginalised groups have a voice in national conversations.
• Strengthen collaboration across sectors, forming coalitions to address insecurity, corruption, and social injustice.
• Provide civic education, empowering citizens to understand their rights, demand accountability, and participate meaningfully in governance.
• Monitor public spending and service delivery, ensuring transparency in education, healthcare, and social protection programmes.

F. Recommendations to the Media

• Uphold the highest standards of investigative journalism, exposing corruption, insecurity failures, and abuses of power.
• Resist intimidation and censorship, while ensuring accuracy, fairness, and professionalism in reporting.
• Amplify the voices of vulnerable communities, especially victims of insecurity, displacement, and poverty.
• Promote fact‑checking and counter misinformation, particularly during elections and national crises.
• Serve as a watchdog, holding all institutions accountable and strengthening democratic culture.

G. Recommendations to Citizens

• Remain vigilant and engaged, recognising that democracy requires active participation, not passive observation.
• Demand accountability from elected officials at all levels, using lawful and peaceful means.
• Participate in elections, from voter registration to turnout, ensuring that civic duty is taken seriously.
• Reject corruption and impunity, refusing to normalise bribery, vote‑buying, or abuse of public resources.
• Support community initiatives, including neighbourhood security efforts, education programmes, and local development projects.
• Stand in solidarity with vulnerable groups, ensuring that no community is left behind in the struggle for justice and dignity.

H. To the International Community

• Support Nigeria’s democratic institutions through technical assistance, election observation, and capacity building.
• Strengthen partnerships that promote human rights, anti-corruption efforts, and good governance.
• Provide targeted development support in education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
• Hold Nigerian leaders accountable to international norms and commitments, especially regarding human rights and transparency.
• Collaborate with Nigerian civil society to amplify credible voices advocating for reform and justice.

7. Conclusion

In closing, we recall the words of the late Professor Abubakar Momoh, CHRICED’s pioneer Chairman in whose honour this venue is named: “Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands participation, courage, and sacrifice.”

Nigeria stands at a defining moment. The choices made today will shape the destiny of generations yet unborn. CHRICED remains committed to advocating for a just, inclusive, and democratic Nigeria where every citizen can live in dignity and hope.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Thank you.

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[1] Deadly Attack in Nigeria Highlights Persistent Insecurity | Human Rights Watch

[2] Nigeria’s broken covenant: The state, insecurity, and the betrayal of Benue and Plateau communities