The League of Northern Democrats has called on governors in the region to take bolder steps in tackling insecurity, warning against what it described as the dangerous trend of negotiating with armed bandits.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting in Abuja, signed by its Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Mohmood Tunde Hassan, the group argued that dialogue in the absence of verifiable disarmament and genuine de-escalation merely emboldens criminal gangs.
“While all legitimate measures to end insecurity are welcome, giving criminals a free pass in the name of dialogue is unacceptable and amounts to legitimising terror,” the statement read.
The group cited the recent peace deal in Katsina State as a case study, insisting that such arrangements fall short of internationally recognised standards of conflict resolution. According to the LND, “true peace processes require military-secure areas, enforced ceasefires, neutral weapon-free venues, third-party verification of disarmament, and strict civilian protection.”
Commending the Independent National Electoral Commission for what it described as transparent handling of the ongoing political party registration process, the LND said such progress was crucial in rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions.
On insecurity, however, the group dismissed excuses often advanced by some state governments, stressing that nothing in the law prevents them from protecting their citizens.
It also urged political and community leaders to recommit themselves to repositioning the North by addressing insecurity and other challenges it said were holding back the region’s development and national progress.
