By Udoh Umoh
The Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has urged President Bola Tinubu to decentralise Nigeria’s security architecture as a lasting solution to curbing insecurity in the country.
The Director of CHRAN, Mr Franklyn Isong, made the appeal during the group’s annual public lecture to mark 2026 Democracy Day in Uyo.
Isong urged the president to transfer more powers to sub-national governments as a lasting solution to the country’s insecurity challenges.
He said that the recent school abductions in Oyo and Borno States, coming after the 2014 abduction of Chibok girls, showed that Nigeria’s centralised security system had failed.
“The CHRAN calls for the overhauling and decentralisation of the security architecture of the federation to give more powers to the sub-national governments,” he said.
He urged the president to collaborate with the 36 state governors and National Assembly members to immediately establish state police and national forest guards in Nigeria.
He also called on the president to declare a state of emergency on security as a matter of urgent public importance, and secure the release of all abducted school children and teachers.
Isong urged the 31 LGA chairmen to complement state efforts in rural development, healthcare and education by embarking on people-oriented projects.
He urged the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly to provide effective oversight and conduct unscheduled tours of LGAs to keep the third tier of government on toes.
Isong called on politicians to approach 2027 electioneering with utmost decorum to ensure peace throughout the campaign season.
In a keynote address, Prof. Enefiok Essien, urged government to diversify the economy and create more
employment opportunities to reduce the level of poverty that makes people susceptible to criminal, financial and material inducements.
Essien, former Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, who spoke on the topic, “Dangers of Vote Selling in Nigerian Democracy” said that there was a link between vote buying and poverty in the country.
“Since there is a link between vote buying and the high rate of poverty and unemployment in the country, governments at all levels should evolve effective poverty reduction strategies.
“There should be more voter education, sensitisation campaigns and awareness for citizens on the dangers of vote selling,” Essien said.
Essien added that trading in votes, or vote buying and vote selling was inimical to democracy and good governance and therefore should be stopped.
