Afenifere Diaspora USA Raises Alarm Over Nigeria’s Future, Warns Tinubu Government Is ‘Sitting on a Keg of Gunpowder’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

.... Urges Federal Government to move swiftly to restore public confidence, strengthen security, revive the economy, deepen democratic governance, and offer renewed hope to millions of Nigerians facing difficult conditions.

Afenifere Diaspora USA has issued a stark warning to the Federal Government, declaring that Nigeria is "sitting on a keg of gunpowder" amid worsening insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and growing public dissatisfaction under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The warning was contained in a communiqué released after a general meeting of the group's members, where participants extensively reviewed the state of the nation and expressed concern over what they described as a dangerous convergence of security challenges, economic distress, and weakening public confidence in governance.

The organisation cautioned that unless urgent and decisive actions are taken to address the country's mounting challenges, Nigeria could face severe social, political, and security consequences capable of threatening national stability and cohesion.

Insecurity Threatens National Survival

A major focus of the communiqué was the deteriorating security situation across the country. Afenifere Diaspora USA argued that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property, lamenting that despite repeated assurances from authorities, insecurity continues to spread across various regions.

The group called on the Federal Government to take immediate and measurable action against terrorist organisations and violent criminal groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru, Lakurawa, armed bandits, kidnappers, and marauding armed herders.

According to the organisation, persistent attacks on communities have left many rural areas vulnerable, forcing farmers off their lands, disrupting agricultural production, worsening food insecurity, and displacing thousands of citizens. It noted that schools have been shut down, businesses destroyed, and economic activities severely disrupted in several parts of the country.

The group questioned why terrorism, kidnappings, banditry, and attacks on farming communities have continued despite significant annual allocations to the security sector. It warned that no nation can achieve sustainable development when citizens live under constant fear and uncertainty.

Afenifere Diaspora further cautioned that Nigeria must not be allowed to slide into another period of widespread internal conflict, stressing that the consequences of prolonged instability in a nation of more than 250 million people would have far-reaching implications for West Africa and the global community.

Push for Technology-Driven Security Strategy

The organisation also criticised what it described as inadequate deployment of modern technology in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.

It urged the government to invest more heavily in surveillance systems, drone technology, satellite intelligence, electronic tracking tools, and data-driven security operations, arguing that countries facing similar threats have successfully utilised technology to dismantle criminal networks.

The group further demanded improved intelligence sharing among security agencies, stronger border controls, and greater collaboration among federal, state, and local authorities.

Significantly, Afenifere Diaspora renewed calls for the identification, arrest, and prosecution of sponsors and financiers of terrorist organisations, arguing that violent extremism cannot thrive without financial backing and logistical support.

Opposition to Terrorist Amnesty Programmes

The organisation strongly criticised policies that provide amnesty, rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and reintegration opportunities to former terrorists while victims and affected communities continue to suffer the consequences of violence.

According to the group, such programmes risk rewarding criminality, weakening deterrence, and undermining public confidence in the justice system.

It therefore called for a comprehensive review and termination of policies perceived to favour perpetrators of terrorism, insisting that justice must be prioritised for victims and their families.

Fresh Demand for State Police

Afenifere Diaspora USA also revisited the long-standing debate on state policing, expressing disappointment over what it described as slow progress toward establishing state police despite growing national consensus on the need for decentralised security structures.

The organisation argued that Nigeria's current centralised policing framework has struggled to effectively address diverse and localised security threats across the federation.

It maintained that state police would complement federal security agencies by enhancing intelligence gathering, improving rapid response capabilities, and promoting community participation in security management.

The group urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, state governments, and other stakeholders to fast-track constitutional and legislative reforms necessary to establish state police while ensuring safeguards against political abuse and human rights violations.

In addition, it advocated the formal recognition and regulation of community-based security initiatives such as Amotekun, hunters' vigilante groups, indigenous security networks in the South-East, and other local security outfits. According to the organisation, security challenges are best addressed at the local level when supported by proper legal and accountability frameworks.

Economic Hardship Deepens Public Frustration

Beyond security concerns, Afenifere Diaspora USA painted a grim picture of the nation's economic reality, blaming rising petroleum product prices for escalating transportation costs, soaring food prices, increased electricity expenses, and widespread inflation.

The group noted that millions of Nigerians are struggling to meet basic needs, while small and medium-sized enterprises face mounting operational costs, declining purchasing power, and shrinking consumer demand.

It warned that growing poverty and economic hardship pose serious threats to national security and social stability.

Drawing attention to historical precedents, the organisation observed that prolonged economic hardship, unemployment, inflation, and declining living standards have often triggered public unrest and political instability in various countries.

It therefore urged the Federal Government to place the welfare of ordinary citizens at the centre of economic policy formulation and implementation.

Calls for Social Protection and Economic Relief

To cushion the impact of ongoing economic reforms, the group called for urgent interventions in food security, healthcare, education, housing, transportation, employment generation, and social welfare.

It also advocated increased support for farmers, artisans, small business owners, and young entrepreneurs, describing them as critical drivers of economic recovery and national development.

The organisation expressed concern over what it termed misplaced public spending priorities, arguing that government expenditure should focus more directly on improving citizens' quality of life at a time when many households are battling hunger, unemployment, and declining incomes.

Furthermore, Afenifere Diaspora identified corruption, wasteful spending, weak accountability systems, and lack of transparency as major impediments to economic progress and public trust.

It called for prudent management of public resources, stronger anti-corruption measures, and policies specifically targeted at reducing poverty and expanding economic opportunities.

Defence of Democracy and National Unity

The communiqué also highlighted concerns about the health of Nigeria's democratic institutions.

Afenifere Diaspora reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and accountable governance, stressing that democracy can only thrive when institutions remain stronger than individual office holders and political interests.

The group urged all arms of government to respect the principles of separation of powers, judicial independence, electoral integrity, and freedom of expression.

It further called on public officials to embrace transparency and accountability, insisting that citizens must be able to hold leaders accountable without fear of intimidation, harassment, or political persecution.

Renewed Call for National Dialogue

As part of efforts to preserve national unity, the organisation advocated a genuine national dialogue to address longstanding issues surrounding restructuring, federalism, resource control, security architecture, and equitable representation.

According to the group, sustainable unity can only be achieved through justice, inclusion, fairness, and mutual respect among Nigeria's diverse ethnic, regional, and religious communities.

Nigeria at a Critical Crossroads

In its concluding remarks, Afenifere Diaspora USA acknowledged Nigeria's enormous human and natural resources but warned that the country's future prosperity depends on the willingness of its leaders to confront present challenges with urgency and sincerity.

The organisation maintained that the combination of worsening insecurity, rising economic hardship, and growing public frustration constitutes a volatile mix capable of undermining national stability if not urgently addressed.

It therefore called on the Federal Government to move swiftly to restore public confidence, strengthen security, revive the economy, deepen democratic governance, and offer renewed hope to millions of Nigerians facing difficult conditions.

Describing the nation as standing at a critical crossroads, Afenifere Diaspora urged Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious divides to work collectively toward building a secure, just, democratic, and prosperous country.

The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of Afenifere Diaspora USA, Professor Sikiru Fadairo; Vice Chairman, Chief Frank Adetu; and Secretary, Comrade David Adeyinka Adenekan.