The Afenifere Diaspora USA has criticised the All Progressives Congress over what it described as worsening insecurity in the country and alleged attempts to weaken Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general election.

The group, in a statement made available to The PUNCH, dated March 20, 2026, warned that the continued escalation of violent attacks across parts of the country could lead to deeper national crises if urgent measures were not taken.

The statement, jointly signed by the Chairman, Prof Sikiru Fadairo, and the Secretary, David Adenekan, stressed that national security remained a constitutional obligation of the government, noting that failure to adequately address the situation could threaten the unity of the country.

The group said, “The current escalation of insecurity across the country is a dangerous trend that may plunge the nation into a sectarian war if not properly managed and nipped in the bud.”

It emphasised that the protection of lives and property remained a core responsibility of the government, as clearly stated in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The section provides that “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

It further referenced provisions contained in Chapter IV, Sections 33 to 46 of the Constitution, which guarantee fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, and privacy.

Afenifere Diaspora USA also condemned the activities of armed groups operating in parts of the country, alleging that recent attacks in the North-East had resulted in significant casualties and displacement of residents.

The group said, “The recent violent attacks by terrorist groups degrade the status of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. It was widely reported that in March 2026, militants linked to the Islamic State West African Province launched coordinated attacks in the North-East, overrunning several military formations in Borno State, including communities such as Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa and Mainok.”

It added, “An intolerably high figure of 65 military officers were reportedly killed in the attacks, while about 300 persons were said to have been kidnapped. Are acts of killing people in thousands and sacking those fleeing from their villages not tantamount to genocide or ethnic cleansing?”

The group also questioned what it described as attempts to influence international narratives regarding the security situation in Nigeria, alleging that public funds were used to engage foreign lobbyists.

It stated, “Is the current administration not always quick to change the narrative that the killings in Nigeria are merely ‘normal’ incidents that occur in any society, including the unjustifiable expenditure of a whopping sum of nine million dollars from taxpayers’ funds to hire lobbyists in Washington DC to promote the position that there is no genocide or ethnic cleansing in Nigeria?”

On electoral matters, the group criticised the reported removal of the requirement for a candidate to possess a secondary school certificate as part of the eligibility criteria in the Electoral Act, describing the move as detrimental to democratic development.

The statement read, “The decision by members of the National Assembly to expunge from our electoral law the requirement to possess a secondary school certificate is seen as a political charade capable of undermining democratic values and lowering leadership standards in the country.”

Citing Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution, the group noted that one of the requirements to contest for the office of the President is that a candidate must be educated to at least secondary school certificate level or its equivalent.

“In a digital age driven by information technology, Nigeria must not slide backwards into the abyss of ignorance where leadership competence is compromised. Leadership capacity and skilled knowledge are critical in managing the affairs of a modern state,” the statement added.

The group also called for mandatory electronic transmission of election results, insisting that credible elections remained vital to strengthening democracy and ensuring good governance.

It said, “Every lover of democracy, including the international community, must support a system that guarantees mandatory electronic transmission of election results in real time without optional conditions.

“A free and fair general election in 2027 is sacrosanct and must not be negotiated if Nigeria is to deepen its hard-won democracy and ensure accountable leadership.”

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The Presidency has advised Senator Ali Ndume to channel actionable intelligence on terrorism to security agencies rather than making sweeping allegations on television.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the advice on Tuesday while responding to Ndume’s recent television appearance, where he claimed terrorists have informants within the Nigerian society.

In an interview with Vanguard, which was confirmed to PUNCH Online late Tuesday, Onanuga stated that if the Borno South senator possesses specific intelligence about terrorist operations, informants, or planned attacks, such information should be shared with the military and security agencies for operational action.

“If Senator Ndume has credible intelligence about terrorist informants or their mode of operation beyond what is already known to security agencies, the appropriate step is to share this with the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Security Adviser, or relevant intelligence bodies, not to discuss it on television,” Onanuga stated.

The presidential aide emphasised that actionable intelligence requires confidential handling through proper security channels to enable effective response.

PUNCH Online reports that Ndume had appeared on Channels Television, revealing that terrorists use commercial tricycles (Keke NAPEP) to deliver bombs and rely on informants within communities to plan attacks.

“What they do is hit and run. They gather, share information among themselves, and most dangerously, they get information from some citizens, too. They have informants within society,” the senator had stated.

He also criticised government efforts, saying, “The government, I must say, are not walking the talk. Security agencies and soldiers still do not have the training, equipment, ammunition, and motivation they need.”

Onanuga, however, defended the Tinubu administration’s security investments, noting that President Bola Tinubu approved additional equipment and operational support during a security meeting held just before the Maiduguri bombings.

“The President has demonstrated commitment by approving the highest budgetary allocation to defence in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, securing military equipment from France and the United Kingdom, and directing security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri,” Onanuga stated.

He added that public statements about security gaps, while legitimate as political commentary, become counterproductive when they contain specific operational intelligence that should be classified.

The Presidency’s response comes amid ongoing operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State following the March 16 suicide bombings that killed 23 people and injured 108 others in Maiduguri.

President Tinubu had directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to oversee operations and approved additional equipment to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities.

Vice President Kashim Shettima visited victims at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on March 18, assuring enhanced support for security forces.

Ndume, who represents Borno South, where much of the insurgency is concentrated, has been vocal about security challenges in the North-East, often calling for more aggressive military action and better equipment for troops.

The senator had also questioned intelligence failures, asking why terrorists who record their atrocities on TikTok cannot be tracked when ordinary citizens’ phones are easily monitored.

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Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Tuesday confirmed that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission forcefully evicted him and his family from their Abuja residence, despite ongoing court proceedings over the property.

Malami disclosed this while addressing journalists at a press conference, stating that EFCC officials stormed the premises on Monday and returned on Tuesday with armed personnel to complete the takeover.

“Yesterday, without further recourse to the court, without seeking an order to seal my properties, without seeking an order to evict my family members and me from the property, without seeking a court order for the appointment of a receiver manager, the EFCC came to effect a forceful eviction.

“They were unable to conclude the process yesterday and reinforced this morning with a lot of personnel that are armed and indeed forcefully took over possession of my family residence,” he said.

The former AGF identified the property as his family home located at No. 2, Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

He explained that the action followed an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, but insisted that the order did not authorise eviction or immediate takeover of the property.

“The most interesting part of the order was that there was no clear directive or instruction… that the premises would be taken over forthwith or perhaps is being sold, or perhaps evicting the occupants,” he said.

Malami noted that he had already challenged the forfeiture order before the Federal High Court, with the case adjourned till April 20, 2026.

According to him, with both parties already before the court, the EFCC ought to have exercised restraint rather than taking unilateral enforcement steps.

“It is only natural, logical and judicial that no party is expected to overreach by taking unilateral steps that would place a court in a situation of purposelessness,” he stated.

He faulted the commission for allegedly bypassing due process, stressing that enforcement of court orders was the responsibility of judicial authorities, not litigants.

“Execution of court orders and processes is an exclusive function of court bailiffs and sheriffs… and is not in any way the prerogative of a party to the litigation,” he said.

Malami described the eviction and takeover as unlawful and outside established legal procedure.

“What happened by way of forceful eviction of my family members and forceful takeover of my properties is legally and judicially unprecedented in the Nigerian legal system,” he added.

He further alleged that the EFCC neither obtained a specific eviction order nor involved court officials before carrying out the action.

The former minister also hinted at possible political undertones, noting that the incident occurred shortly after his release from detention and during a period of increased political visits and support.

“The fact that these things happen at a time when I was receiving tremendous goodwill messages… can certainly be a basis for people to insinuate perhaps political persecution,” he said.

However, he declined to directly describe the action as a vendetta, citing the pending nature of the case.

Malami said he would pursue legal remedies to challenge the EFCC’s action.

“For me, the steps are legal, legitimate and judicial, and we will certainly embark on the judicial process to do the needful,” he added.

Efforts to reach his lawyer on the asset forfeiture case, J.B Daudu, to confirm the sealing of the properties and next legal steps were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, as he did not respond to repeated calls from our correspondent.

The PUNCH reported that earlier on Tuesday, the anti-corruption agency moved to take over the Maitama residence of the former AGF.

The operatives, reportedly led by Folarin Dare, arrived in about five buses, heavily armed and dressed in their red and black jackets, as they barricaded the road leading to Malami’s residence.

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