News
IPCR, SFCG urge action to save democracy from conflict drivers
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and Search for Common Ground (SFCG) have called for efforts to address conflict drivers threatening democracy.
The organisations made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a joint news conference to commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day.
The Director-General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, said democracy remained the best form of government and depended on active citizen participation.
According to him, weak civic engagement, voter apathy and poor democratic culture continue to challenge democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
Mr Ochogwu said IPCR’s conflict assessments showed that many pressures on democracy stemmed from citizen disengagement rather than democracy itself.
He urged Nigerians, especially youths, to participate actively in elections and governance processes to strengthen democratic institutions.
The IPCR boss described electoral violence, intimidation and coercive political practices as serious threats to democratic development.
He called on political actors, electoral institutions, security agencies, media organisations and civil society groups to promote peaceful political engagement.
Mr Ochogwu also expressed concern over the increasing monetisation of politics, saying it excluded ordinary citizens from meaningful participation.
He identified terrorism, banditry, organised crime and violent extremism as major threats undermining governance and public confidence in institutions.
Responding to questions, Mr Ochogwu said insecurity would not prevent the conduct of elections in 2027.
He urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country and to continue supporting democratic processes.
The Director of Programmes, Search for Common Ground, Gift Omoniwa, said protecting democracy required addressing insecurity and conflict drivers.
Mrs Omoniwa said banditry, kidnapping and violent extremism continued to threaten peace, stability and democratic governance across Nigeria.
She stressed the need for inclusive approaches that address root causes of conflict and promote peaceful coexistence.
According to her, vulnerable youths remain targets for recruitment by violent groups, posing risks to national security and democracy.
She advocated greater youth empowerment, economic opportunities and meaningful participation in governance processes.
Mrs Omoniwa disclosed that SFCG and IPCR recently conducted conflict assessments in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states.
She said the findings were being shared with stakeholders to support evidence-based interventions and conflict prevention efforts.
The interventions include strengthening early warning systems, peace committees and livelihood programmes in affected communities.
Mrs Omoniwa expressed confidence that the measures would support peaceful and credible elections in 2027.
She reaffirmed SFCG’s commitment to working with government institutions, civil society groups and communities to promote peace and democratic governance.
(NAN)
Twenty-seven people have died from a suspected diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State, while suspected cases have increased to 303, a state health official has said.
The State Epidemiologist, Maren Damulak, disclosed the figures while speaking with journalists in Jos on Wednesday.
He said most of the suspected cases were recorded in Jos North Local Government Area.
Mr Damulak said 99 per cent of the suspected cases were recorded in Jos North, with Rikkos community among the worst-affected areas.
“As of today, the cases have increased from 149 to 303. The death has also increased from 23 to 27. The high cases of the disease are in Jos North. Ninety-nine per cent of the cases are in Jos North,” he said.
He attributed a significant proportion of the cases to people who had not received diphtheria vaccination and said children constituted a substantial number of those affected.
“Most of the people that were affected were those that did not take diphtheria vaccine. Apart from Jos North, we also have few cases from other LGAs. Children account for a significant proportion of those affected,” he said.
Schools remain closed
The latest figures come days after the Plateau State Government ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on September 5 that the government directed schools to close from Monday, September 7, following suspected diphtheria cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase local government areas.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said the measure was intended to prevent further transmission and protect pupils, students and teaching and non-teaching staff.
Schools that had already resumed academic activities were also directed to close and remain shut until further notice.
The government asked school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to comply with the directive and ensure that pupils and students remained at home while health authorities strengthened surveillance and response efforts.
Response intensified
The state government has also increased efforts to provide treatment and strengthen disease surveillance in affected communities.
Some patients are receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau State Specialist Hospital, where isolation facilities have been provided.
In Jos North, the local government council has deployed additional logistics, including motorcycles, to support contact tracing, field surveillance and community mobilisation.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang also directed the immediate mobilisation of drugs and other medical commodities to health facilities to support the response.
The Director-General of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency, Kim Bot, said government intervention was already ongoing at JUTH and PSSH and would be extended to other affected facilities.
Mr Bot said the state government responded after receiving reports of the outbreak and was working to ensure that affected health facilities received the necessary medical supplies.
READ ALSO: Plateau buses make face masks compulsory as diphtheria outbreak worsens
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Jos North Local Government, John Christopher, has urged residents to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to reduce the spread of the disease.
Mr Christopher made the call on Wednesday during an assessment of affected communities and a visit to suspected patients receiving treatment at the Primary Healthcare Clinic in Abba Na Shehu Ward.
The rising figures come amid continued efforts by health authorities to contain the outbreak, increase surveillance and encourage residents to seek prompt medical attention and vaccination.
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