By Uko Etim

UYO—The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, has urged President Bola Tinubu to decentralise Nigeria’s security architecture and transfer more powers to sub-national governments as a lasting solution to the country’s insecurity.

CHRAN Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, made the demand during the group’s June 12 Annual Public Lecture to mark 2026 Democracy Day on Friday in Uyo.

The theme of the lecture is “The Dangers of Vote Selling in a Democracy”.

Isong said recent school abductions in Oyo and Borno States, coming after the 2014 abduction of 276 Chibok girls, show that Nigeria’s centralised security system has failed.

“The CHRAN calls for the overhauling and decentralization of the security architecture of the federation to give more powers to the sub-national Governments,” he stated.

He urged Tinubu to collaborate with the 36 state governors and National Assembly members to “immediately establish State Police and National Forest Guards in Nigeria”.

He also called on the President to declare a state of emergency on security as “a matter of urgent public importance” and secure the release of all abducted pupils and teachers.

Isong described the 1999 Constitution, promulgated through Decree No. 24 by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, as 27 years old and incapable of addressing Nigeria’s “multifarious problems”. He said it requires “a fundamental review, if not a complete overhaul”.

CHRAN Director commended Governor Pastor Umo Eno for supporting security agencies and delivering infrastructure such as Arise Recreational Park, Ibom Modern Farm, International Convention Center, Ring Road III, Oron Jetty, Ibom International Multi-Specialist Hospital, and the new terminal at Victor Attah International Airport.

However, Isong said the 31 LGA chairmen have failed to complement state efforts in rural development, healthcare and education, urging them to embark on people-oriented projects.

He asked Eno to set up a waste management task team for Uyo similar to the pothole team, enforce the Anti-Open Grazing Law, and constitute a team to audit projects executed by the 31 LGAs in the last two years.

Isong urged the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly to provide effective oversight and conduct unscheduled tours of LGAs, and called on politicians to approach 2027 campaigns “with utmost decorum”.

Our correspondent reports that the lecture marked 33 years since the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won by late Chief MKO Abiola as Isong paid tribute to Abiola and other activists who died in the pro-democracy struggle.