NPSA Urges Political Class To Prioritise National Security Over 2027 Elections.
The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) has called on the country’s political class to shift its focus from the 2027 general elections and instead channel efforts into addressing the deepening insecurity across the nation.
This appeal comes amid an extension of the National Assembly’s Easter and Eid-el-Fitr recess. Originally scheduled to resume on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, the Senate and House of Representatives will now reconvene on Tuesday, 6 May 2025. According to a statement from the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the extension will allow lawmakers to participate in Workers’ Day celebrations in their respective constituencies.
However, the NPSA has warned that the political elite must not lose sight of the pressing challenges facing the country. In a strongly-worded statement titled “The Alarming State of Insecurity in Nigeria”, NPSA President, Professor Hassan Saliu, expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in states such as Benue, Borno, and Plateau, where many Nigerians are reportedly living in fear.
Professor Saliu criticised the persistent trend of exclusionary politics, which he said continues to alienate the majority of Nigerians and fuel insecurity. “Rather than concentrate energy and attention on tackling the increasing wave of insecurity, the political class is fixated on the politics of 2027,” he stated.
He further lamented that earlier optimism from government officials about overcoming insecurity now seems misplaced, as violence and unrest persist in many parts of the country. The NPSA leader attributed the root causes of insecurity to a combination of factors, including ungoverned spaces, religious extremism, poverty, external influences, and divisive inter-group relations—but he emphasised that political exclusion remains the core issue.
Professor Saliu also questioned the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s counter-insurgency efforts, arguing that if there had been genuine commitment over the past two decades, tangible progress would have been evident by now.
Highlighting the broader consequences of insecurity, he warned that sustained violence and instability would continue to deter foreign investment, further harming the country’s economic prospects.
The NPSA’s message serves as a timely reminder that while political transitions are important, the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians must remain the top priority.
