A Lokoja-based rights group, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, has urged President Bola Tinubu to approve and make public the validated Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism policy document, as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Idris Miliki Abdul, said in a statement that the anniversary came with “mixed feelings”, noting that the nation was neither where it was at independence nor where Nigerians wanted it to be.
He, however, said the country still had reasons to celebrate. “Nigeria has cause to celebrate at 66,” he stated, citing the nation’s survival as one entity despite its challenges and an improved democracy that allows citizens to elect leaders every four years.
Abdul listed insecurity, corruption, poverty, unemployment, inflation and the exclusion of youths from governance among the problems facing the country. He also acknowledged some progress in infrastructure and in the establishment of public and private educational institutions.
Criticising those he blamed for the nation’s woes, he said they had shown no remorse, adding that they had “planted land mines on our path to greatness”, including ethnic and religious divisions, defiance of court orders and the economic hardship of ordinary citizens.
“We need to be vigilant, alert and ready to frustrate every evil plot,” he warned.
On security, the group called on the Federal and State Governments to tackle violent extremism, which it said was fuelled by governance failure, corruption, inequality and lack of opportunities. It said, “Nigeria’s response to violent extremism remains fragmented and uneven.”
The statement identified poor coordination among federal, state and local actors as a major obstacle, saying it had led to duplication of efforts and missed opportunities. It called for a harmonised approach to “align the efforts of the federal, state and local governments under a unified, coherent framework”.
Specifically, the group urged Tinubu, through the National Security Adviser, to approve the policy document validated in the last one year and coordinated by the National Counter Terrorism Centre. It said this would enable states to develop their own policies.
Abdul added, “The Nigerian Constitution does not give us the luxury of choosing between rights and security.” He said, “Security without welfare is brittle; welfare without security is fragile.”
Turning to the 2027 general elections, he urged political parties, candidates, supporters and voters to play by the rules and respect the choices of individuals and groups. “Nigeria cannot afford to fail in its democratic journey at 66,” he said.
