Easter Amid Crisis: CISLAC Condemns Worsening Insecurity, Calls for National Renewal and Leadership Accountability

Maryam Aminu

As Christians across Nigeria and around the world commemorate Easter a season symbolizing sacrifice, hope, and renewal, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has issued a strong call for urgent national reflection, condemning the country’s deteriorating security situation and what it describes as “leadership apathy” from the Tinubu administration.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC expressed deep concern over the relentless wave of violence affecting communities across the country, citing recent attacks in Benue and Plateau States, where over 50 lives were lost, as well as ongoing insecurity in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara states.

“These are not isolated incidents,” the organization stated. “They are symptoms of a broader governance failure and a clear inability of the state to protect its citizens.”

CISLAC criticized the perceived detachment and silence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the face of these national tragedies, stating that “leadership is not just about holding office it is about showing up, especially in times of crisis.”

The organization lamented what it described as a disconnection between the presidency and the realities faced by everyday Nigerians, accusing the administration of governing “from a distance” while communities suffer. “National empathy cannot be outsourced to press releases or social media statements,” the statement noted.

Raising alarm over the misuse of security resources, CISLAC questioned the effectiveness of rising security budgets, stating that despite heavy investment, the crisis has only deepened. “Until there is clear accountability and proper deployment of resources, insecurity will continue to fester,” the group warned.

In addition, CISLAC condemned the politicization of killings and the growing distraction from governance as political actors begin posturing for the 2027 general elections. “This obsession with power in the midst of national trauma is reckless and deeply irresponsible,” the statement read.

CISLAC further decried the use of security forces for political intimidation in opposition-controlled states and warned against veiled threats aimed at declaring unconstitutional states of emergency. “Such actions only heighten political tension and erode public trust,” it stated.

Calling for urgent national renewal, the organization urged all arms and levels of government to “step back from the politics of ambition and recommit to the business of rebuilding the nation.” It emphasized that Nigerians must not be treated as mere statistics or tools for political gain.

“As we reflect on the meaning of Easter,” Rafsanjani concluded, “let us rediscover the moral courage to lead with empathy, fairness, and urgency. The blood of innocent citizens must no longer be the price of government failure. Nigeria deserves better.”

CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to holding power to account, promoting democratic values, and amplifying the voices of the vulnerable. “The journey to national renewal requires truth, courage, and decisive action and we will not relent.