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CHRICED laments economic hardship, democratic decline, calls for courageous leadership in 2026
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s state of affairs in 2025, describing the year as one marked by deep economic hardship, governance failures, insecurity and a shrinking civic space, while warning that the country stands at a critical crossroads.
Speaking at an end-of-year media briefing in Abuja on Saturday, Executive Director of CHRICED, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said Nigerians endured “a year of trials, truths and turning points,” as rising inflation, a weakened naira and poor policy choices combined to worsen living conditions for millions.
According to him, although the year began with hope that political leaders would govern with empathy and accountability, citizens were instead confronted with soaring prices, shrinking incomes and widening inequality. He noted that while official statistics sometimes suggested economic improvement, the daily reality for ordinary Nigerians told a different story.
“Transportation costs soared, medicines became unaffordable, and essential goods turned into luxuries. Families were forced to make impossible choices,” Zikirullahi said, adding that even reported drops in food prices did not translate into relief for poor households due to widespread unemployment and low incomes.
He also warned that farmers were counting losses as the high cost of fertilisers, labour and transportation remained unresolved, a situation he said could discourage food production and deepen hunger in the coming year.
On governance, the CHRICED boss criticised what he described as extravagance and tone-deaf leadership, accusing public officials of indulging in luxury while citizens struggled to survive. He faulted the continued neglect of the Oronsaye Report on reducing the cost of governance, saying political leaders had instead expanded government structures and spending.
“This contradiction is not just irresponsible, it is immoral,” he said, arguing that a government that demands sacrifice from the poor while expanding its own privileges has lost its moral compass.
Zikirullahi also raised concerns over Nigeria’s democratic health, citing flawed off-cycle elections in 2025 characterised by voter suppression, violence and lack of genuine competition, particularly in local government polls. He warned that public confidence in the judiciary had further declined due to allegations of corruption and inconsistent judgments.
He expressed alarm at what he described as Nigeria’s accelerated drift towards a de facto one-party state, driven by mass defections of opposition lawmakers and governors to the ruling party. According to him, this trend weakens accountability, encourages electoral manipulation and fuels public disillusionment.
“Insecurity remains pervasive despite massive defence spending,” Zikirullahi said, listing kidnappings, banditry and insurgency as ongoing threats that have displaced communities, disrupted farming and forced businesses to shut down. He stressed that security must go beyond slogans and be backed by competence and political will.
The CHRICED executive director further decried the shrinking civic space, alleging that peaceful protesters, journalists and activists faced intimidation and repression in 2025. He warned that silencing dissent undermines democracy and accelerates authoritarian tendencies.
Declaring that Nigeria is at a crossroads, Zikirullahi said the choices made in 2026 would determine whether the country continues down a path of hardship and repression or reclaims justice, dignity and shared prosperity.
He called on the government to urgently reduce the cost of governance, implement the Oronsaye Report, prioritise agriculture and manufacturing, reform the judiciary and security sector, strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), protect civic freedoms and tackle corruption decisively.
He also urged citizens to move beyond endurance to action by holding leaders accountable, refusing to sell their votes and defending their rights.
“Silence is no longer an option,” Zikirullahi said, expressing optimism that despite the hardships of 2025, hope is not lost if Nigerians remain united and resolute.
He concluded by thanking the media and civil society partners for their support, expressing hope that 2026 would mark a turning point for the nation.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Sports Commission has congratulated Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya on his redeployment as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commission described the redeployment as a welcome development, reflecting the confidence reposed in Waiya’s leadership ability, administrative experience and commitment to public service.
In a statement issued on Saturday, by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Zulfa’at Abubakar Rano, the Chairman of the Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, expressed confidence that Waiya would bring his wealth of experience to bear on youth and sports development in the state.
Waiya was previously the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs before his redeployment in the minor cabinet reshuffle announced by the governor.
Babangida said the new commissioner’s experience in public service, communication, policy implementation and stakeholder engagement would contribute to advancing the ministry’s objectives and strengthening the sports sector.
He also pledged the commission’s readiness to collaborate with the ministry to promote grassroots sports, identify and nurture emerging talents, empower young people and improve Kano’s competitiveness in national and international sporting activities.
The chairman stressed that effective collaboration between the ministry and the commission would be crucial to achieving sustainable growth in the sports sector and creating more opportunities for youth participation and development.
He wished Waiya a successful tenure, expressing optimism that his appointment would bring innovation and further progress to youth and sports development in Kano State.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
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