Two civil society and youth groups have commended Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies for their role in sustaining the country’s democracy, passing a vote of confidence on the service chiefs and urging citizens to avoid politicising security matters.

The groups, Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance and the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), stated this during a Democracy Day celebration rally held in Abuja.

They said Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule had been made possible by the sacrifices of security personnel and the resilience of national institutions tasked with protecting the country’s sovereignty and constitutional order.

Speaking on behalf of Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance, its Convener, Collins Eshiofeh, described security as a collective national responsibility that should not be reduced to partisan contest.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its support to the armed forces under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that sustained backing for security agencies was critical to national stability.

Eshiofeh also praised the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, for strengthening coordination between civilian authorities and the military, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, for his role in coordinating the country’s security architecture.

The group lauded top security officials, including the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal S.K. Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

“We pass a firm and emphatic vote of confidence on our service chiefs. These are patriots and guardians of our democracy who deserve the support of all Nigerians,” Eshiofeh said.

He warned against attempts to politicise insecurity, arguing that such actions undermine the sacrifices of security personnel working across the country.

On their part, the Arewa Youth Assembly said Nigeria’s security challenges require collective action rather than political division.

Speaking through its Deputy Speaker for the North Central zone, Mohammed Saad Aboki, the group said security institutions have remained central to safeguarding democracy since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

Aboki commended President Tinubu for what he described as consistent support for the armed forces, adding that national development and economic growth depend on a secure environment.

The group urged Nigerians to support security agencies and reject divisive narratives, stressing that insecurity remains a shared national challenge affecting all regions.