A civil society group, Lead Generation Initiative (LGI) has charged both federal and state governments to urgently address Nigeria’s worsening security situation and political instability, warning that failure to act decisively may erode national cohesion and democratic governance.
At its Quarterly General Assembly and National Socioeconomic and Security roundtable, the organisation expressed deep concern over the spate of violence that has claimed over 100 lives in Plateau, Benue, Edo, and other states within the past month.
The Assembly condemned in strong terms the resurgence of ethno-religious violence and the emergence of a new terrorist network, known as the Mahmuda group, believed to be a Boko Haram splinter faction operating around the Kainji Lake National Park axis in Kwara and Niger States.
Particularly disturbing, the Assembly noted, was the extrajudicial killing of 16 individuals in Uromi, Edo State, by a mob acting on mere suspicion of kidnapping.
“Jungle justice is a gross violation of fundamental rights and undermines the rule of law,” the Assembly declared.
Programme Lead, Jedidiah Kolade, in a statement on Thursday warned of a disturbing national pattern where violent actors are asserting dominance across various regions.
“From farmer-herder crises in Benue to religious tensions in Gombe and mob violence in Edo, Nigeria’s internal security threats are clearly national, not regional,” Kolade said.
In its recommendations, the Assembly called for the adoption of community policing frameworks, youth empowerment initiatives, judicial reforms, and increased investment in social infrastructure to address root causes of insecurity.
The group South-South Coordinator, Prince Ukuanovwe Godstime, advocated for the review of anti-grazing laws, deployment of integrated national data systems, and real-time intelligence sharing among security agencies.
The LGI also raised the alarm over the political crisis in Rivers State, describing the recent declaration of a state of emergency and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials as a dangerous assault on constitutional democracy.
It warned that such actions, if left unchallenged could establish a precedent for similar unconstitutional takeovers in other states.
Echoing the position of the Nigerian Bar Association, which described the federal action as a violation of democratic norms, the Assembly called for urgent judicial intervention to reaffirm the independence of the judiciary and protect the constitutional order.
“The judiciary must rise to its role as the last line of defence for democracy,” the Assembly stated.
It further called on the Presidency to publish a clear roadmap for restoring governance in Rivers State and facilitate political dialogue among actors to prevent future crises.
Turning to the national energy crisis, the Assembly criticised the Federal Government’s reported transition of Aso Rock to solar power, describing it as symbolic of the deep inequality in Nigeria’s energy access.
It said while the presidency enjoys stable renewable power, most Nigerians contend with erratic electricity supply and rising tariffs under a controversial banding system.
The Assembly condemned what it called an “exploitative” energy structure where host communities of power infrastructure remain without electricity, and citizens are made to fund installations without any ownership rights.
In response to these pressing challenges, the LGI is proposing a National Roundtable Dialogue involving all critical stakeholders—from security agencies and the Nigerian Bar Association, to traditional and civil society groups—to co-create solutions for sustainable peace, democratic integrity, and national development.
The Assembly was released reaffirming its commitment to a united, peaceful, and democratic Nigeria, insisting that only inclusive governance, constitutional adherence, and collective action can steer the country toward lasting stability.
