KEY POINTS
- NADECO USA urges a state of emergency in northern Nigeria.
- Group says insecurity could derail credible 2027 elections.
- Proposal includes limited U.S. security assistance.
The United States chapter of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO USA, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider declaring a six-month state of emergency in parts of northern Nigeria, warning that worsening insecurity could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In an open proposal signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd Ukwu, the group said elections would be difficult to conduct in areas controlled by terrorists and bandits. It argued that restoring security should take precedence over electoral timelines, describing persistent insurgency and criminal violence as a direct threat to democracy, governance and civilian safety.
NADECO USA said authorities must take decisive action to stabilise the region before meaningful political activity can resume, warning that delays risk further eroding state authority across large parts of the North.
State of emergency in northern Nigeria
The group proposed that Tinubu invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency in affected states, potentially covering all 19 states in northern Nigeria, for an initial six-month period. It said the measure would give the Federal Government greater latitude to coordinate security operations, deploy forces without prior local consent, and impose limited restrictions such as curfews where required.
It added that emergency rule would also allow for the reallocation of funds toward security operations, subject to oversight by the National Assembly. The constitution requires lawmakers to approve any proclamation within 48 hours and to review it periodically.
NADECO USA said it did not seek to suspend democratic norms but to create conditions that would allow authorities to conduct elections safely and credibly.
State of emergency in northern Nigeria
The group also called on the Tinubu administration to seek limited assistance from the United States, including support from Special Operations forces through intelligence-sharing, training and joint operations in identified hotspots. It stressed that any foreign involvement should be temporary, undertaken at Nigeria’s request and under Nigerian command, with a defined exit strategy.
Furthermore, it outlined a legal and diplomatic framework for such cooperation, including a memorandum of understanding and a Status of Forces Agreement to govern the legal position of foreign personnel. It noted that U.S. authorities would also need to notify Congress under the War Powers Resolution.
NADECO USA urged strict compliance with international humanitarian and human-rights standards and consultations with ECOWAS and the African Union to avoid diplomatic friction. It cited reports of U.S. surveillance flights and discussions on joint task-force cooperation, arguing that a formal emergency declaration would provide clearer legal footing. The proposal was addressed to President Tinubu and copied to U.S. officials and international stakeholders.
