The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has blamed the worsening insecurity in Nigeria on what it described as the Federal Government’s resort to ransom payments and persistent silence in the face of escalating violence across the country.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, the party said the value of human life in Nigeria has been “distressingly cheapened” amid rising cases of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and communal attacks.
The SDP lamented that since the surge of organised criminality around 2018, Nigerians have continued to face daily violations of their fundamental rights, including the right to life, safety, and livelihood.
According to the party, communities across the country have been subjected to attacks by bandits, armed herdsmen, and other criminal elements, with incidents of killings, abductions, and sexual violence becoming widespread.
It noted that major highways, including the Abuja-Kaduna road, have turned into dangerous corridors, while farmers have been displaced from their lands, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship.
The party further decried what it called the government’s lack of political will to decisively address the crisis, accusing it of adopting ineffective measures that have emboldened criminal groups.
“It is alleged that the government has repeatedly paid ransoms to kidnappers, granted amnesty to bandits who later returned to crime, and suppressed local vigilante efforts while failing to bring perpetrators to justice.
“The message being sent is that rural lives matter less, as atrocities in remote communities receive little or no attention,” the statement said.
Positioning itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections, the SDP said it is committed to a comprehensive and people-centred approach to security.
The party outlined a multi-pronged strategy that includes addressing the root causes of violence, such as poverty, inequality, and marginalisation, as well as removing political interference in security operations.
It also pledged to promote accountability and transparency in governance, while fostering grassroots participation and youth empowerment as part of a broader national renewal agenda.
The SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, was quoted as criticising the use of security agencies for political purposes, promising reforms that would prioritise professionalism and effectiveness.
The party added that it would implement practical, issue-based solutions across key sectors, including security, education, and economic development, if elected into office.
Citing constitutional provisions, the SDP said the current administration has failed in its primary responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of citizens, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
It also referenced a World Bank report indicating that about 63 per cent of Nigerians are living below the poverty line, warning that the combination of poverty, insecurity, and poor governance poses a serious threat to national stability.
The party called on Nigerians to reject the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, urging voters to embrace what it described as a “national rescue mission.”
“The silence must end, and human life must once again become sacred in Nigeria,” the statement added.
