“Katsina Residents Deserve Better Security, Social Protection” — CSO Coalition on Democracy Day

As Nigerians marked the 2026 Democracy Day, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Katsina State has called on government at all levels to intensify efforts toward improving security and expanding social protection programmes for citizens.

The coalition's Chairman, AbdurRahman Abdullahi, made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday in Katsina, stressing that Democracy Day provides an opportunity to assess the nation’s democratic progress, evaluate leadership performance, and reaffirm commitment to good governance and sustainable development.

Abdullahi acknowledged what he described as significant achievements recorded by the administration of Gov. Dikko Radda over the past three years, particularly in the areas of security, education, healthcare, nutrition, and road infrastructure.

Despite these gains, he noted that critical sectors such as water supply, rural development, youth employment, social protection, and public safety require greater government attention.

According to him, safeguarding lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of government, warning that insecurity continues to undermine development efforts across many communities.

He expressed concern that incidents of banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks still threaten the safety and livelihoods of residents despite ongoing interventions by security agencies and other stakeholders.

The CSO leader commended community leaders, security operatives, and government officials for peace-building and dialogue initiatives implemented in 2025, which he said contributed to a reduction in attacks and improved stability in several parts of the state.

However, he lamented the recent resurgence of insecurity in communities across Matazu, Musawa, Kankara, Faskari, Dutsin-Ma, and Kankia Local Government Areas, urging authorities to strengthen efforts to address the situation.

On social welfare, Abdullahi described multidimensional poverty as a persistent challenge, particularly in the North-West region, where insecurity has disrupted farming activities, businesses, and other sources of income.

He added that the removal of fuel subsidy had worsened economic hardship, increasing the cost of living and making access to healthcare, education, food, and other basic necessities more difficult for many households.

The coalition commended the state government for ongoing investments in education, healthcare, and nutrition, including the recruitment of teachers and healthcare personnel, rehabilitation of schools and health facilities, and the enrolment of vulnerable residents into the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

To consolidate these gains, Abdullahi urged the government to sustain peace-building programmes, expand access to safe water in both rural and urban communities, and strengthen citizen engagement through community development and open governance initiatives.

He also advocated the recruitment of additional teachers and healthcare workers, stronger interventions to tackle malnutrition, increased support for vulnerable persons under the state contributory healthcare scheme, and improved collaboration with federal lawmakers on constituency projects.

The coalition further recommended the elevation of the Ministry of Special Duties to a Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to enhance the coordination of humanitarian programmes and partnerships with development organisations.

Abdullahi also encouraged eligible residents who are yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to register, emphasising that active participation in elections remains essential for deepening democracy and promoting accountability.

“Every vote matters. By registering and participating in elections, citizens contribute to shaping a more responsive, inclusive, and prosperous democracy,” he said.