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ABUJA – Two groups, the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) and Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance, on Thursday used separate Democracy Day rallies in Abuja to express support for Nigeria’s security leadership, urging citizens and political actors to refrain from politicising insecurity and instead unite behind efforts to restore peace and stability across the country.
The groups, which gathered as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, commended the armed forces and other security agencies for their role in defending the country’s sovereignty and preserving democratic governance amid persistent security challenges.
Addressing participants at the Democracy Day Celebration Rally, Deputy Speaker, North Central of the Arewa Youth Assembly, Mohammed Saad Aboki, described national security as a collective responsibility that transcends political interests and regional divisions.
“Fellow Nigerians, the Arewa Youth Assembly gathers today at this Democracy Day Celebration Rally in Abuja with a clear and unambiguous message. Nigeria’s security is not a political football. It is a sacred national responsibility, and every Nigerian must rally behind the men and women who carry that responsibility every single day,” he said.
Aboki noted that Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 had been sustained not only by political institutions but also by the sacrifices of security personnel who continue to defend the nation against various threats.
“Twenty-seven years of uninterrupted democracy is not an accident. It is the fruit of sacrifice, vigilance, and the courage of those who have stood guard over this republic. We celebrate that achievement today, and we celebrate the gallant military and security agencies who have been firm pillars of our democracy and sovereignty,” he stated.
The AYA leader also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as consistent support for the nation’s security architecture, saying the administration had demonstrated a commitment to strengthening the country’s capacity to confront insecurity.
“The Arewa Youth Assembly wishes to place on record its deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for giving our armed forces and security agencies the full backing they need to discharge their duties. Mr. President has demonstrated that a strong military and a secure nation are central to the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
Aboki further commended National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services for their contributions to national security and nation-building.
According to him, “The Arewa Youth Assembly passes a full and unconditional vote of confidence in all our service chiefs and security heads. These are men of honour, men of sacrifice, and men of unbroken commitment to the Nigerian project. They deserve our support, not our suspicion. They deserve our prayers, not our politicking.”
At a separate Democracy Day rally in Abuja, Convener of Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance, Collins Eshiofeh, echoed similar sentiments, cautioning against attempts to turn security challenges into partisan political issues.
He said Democracy Day offered Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the role of security institutions in protecting democratic governance and maintaining national stability.
“Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance stands before this nation today on the occasion of our twenty-seventh Democracy Day with a message that is urgent, sincere, and necessary. Our security must never be politicised. Our service chiefs must never be made pawns in partisan games. And every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, must stand firmly behind the men who are sacrificing their lives to keep this republic alive,” Eshiofeh said.
He argued that the survival of democratic rule over the past 27 years had depended significantly on the resilience and commitment of the country’s security agencies in confronting insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
“Twenty-seven years of uninterrupted democracy is a dividend that belongs to all of us. It belongs to the farmer in Borno, the trader in Lagos, the student in Kano, and the civil servant in Abuja. That dividend did not come free. It was paid for by the resilience of our institutions and by the blood and sweat of our armed forces and security agencies, who have remained firm pillars of our democracy and sovereignty through every storm,” he stated.
Eshiofeh also commended President Tinubu for supporting ongoing security operations and acknowledged the efforts of Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other senior security officials.
Passing what he described as a firm vote of confidence in the country’s security leadership, he said: “These are not mere officeholders. They are patriots. They are guardians. They are heroes of our democracy, and they deserve the full support of every Nigerian citizen.”
The civil society advocate further warned against exploiting insecurity for political gain, insisting that such actions undermine the sacrifices made by security personnel across the country.
“We demand clearly and without equivocation that the nation’s security must not be politicised. Those who seek to weaponise insecurity for political gain do a grave disservice to this nation and to the memory of every soldier, police officer, and intelligence operative who has laid down their life in service,” he said.
The rallies come at a time when Nigeria continues to confront a range of security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in parts of the North-West, communal conflicts and rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom in several parts of the country. These concerns have remained at the centre of national discourse, with stakeholders debating strategies for improving security and safeguarding lives and property.
Despite the challenges, both groups maintained that public support for security institutions, stronger cooperation between citizens and security agencies, and national unity remain critical to defeating insecurity.
Calling on Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences, Aboki urged citizens to embrace a collective approach to addressing the country’s security challenges.
“Nigeria will defeat insecurity with our personal collaborative efforts. Nigeria is our only country and we must support and synergise with our security architecture to conquer the common enemy,” he said.
The Democracy Day rallies formed part of nationwide activities commemorating Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Beyond celebrating democratic milestones, participants used the occasion to advocate greater national cohesion and renewed support for institutions tasked with preserving peace, security and constitutional order.