CHRICED raises alarm over threats to democracy, economy, national security
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has expressed deep concern over what it calls a “national crisis of democracy, governance, and security,” warning that Nigeria is sliding into dangerous territory unless urgent reforms are undertaken.
The alarm was raised by CHRICED Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, during a State of the Nation press conference held in Kano on Monday.
He described the gathering as “not a routine briefing, but a national call to conscience.”
Dr Zikirullahi accused political actors of orchestrating “a coordinated assault on political pluralism,” citing the wave of defections by governors and lawmakers to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the defection trend “is a betrayal of the democratic mandate entrusted to them by the people.”
He also referenced media reports suggesting that lawmakers allegedly pay to present motions at the National Assembly, stating that “the silence of the leadership on these allegations is not neutrality, it is complicity.”
SolaceBase reports that CHRICED demanded immediate, independent investigations into allegations of bribery involving National Assembly members and presidential aides. “Democracy cannot thrive where corruption is normalised,” Dr Zikirullahi warned.
Speaking on the economy, he faulted government claims of improved inflation and Naira stability, insisting that “these macroeconomic indicators have brought little or no relief to the average Nigerian.”
He described the continued reliance on heavy borrowing as “unsustainable,” adding: “The solution to our economic woes lies not in piling up debt, but in creating jobs and empowering our youth.”
CHRICED expressed grave concern over escalating insecurity across the country, saying Nigerians “live in fear” from Zamfara to Plateau, Anambra to Rivers. Referencing the recent abduction of six Ministry of Defence directors in Kogi, Dr Zikirullahi said: “A nation that cannot protect its citizens cannot legitimately claim authority.”
He urged the federal government to overhaul the security architecture and invest in intelligence gathering.
On the health sector, CHRICED noted that government spending remains “woefully inadequate,” with out-of-pocket payments accounting for 75 percent of health expenditure. The group described the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike as a clear sign that the system is “on the brink of collapse.”
Despite the challenges, CHRICED highlighted progress in its Free Maternal and Child Healthcare (FMCH) project in Kano State. Dr Zikirullahi said the initiative is “saving lives and restoring faith in public institutions.”
The event was attended by long-standing partners from Misereor e. V.., Germany, Mrs Hannelore Henn-Sories and Mrs Julia Krojer, alongside civil society groups and media representatives.
Comments are closed.