By Maryam Diallo Dakar
The Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) has raised concerns over growing food insecurity, rising prices of essential commodities, farmers’ inability to access their farmlands due to insecurity, and increasing political tensions ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections.
In a statement signed by Pastor Michael Ikpa, Director of the Early Warning and Early Response (EWER)/Community Peace Action Network (CPAN) Desk of IMC, the Centre warned that inadequate rainfall, persistent insecurity and rising food prices are worsening the hardship faced by farming communities and vulnerable households across the country.
The statement noted that poor rainfall has affected agricultural production in several communities, while attacks, kidnapping and killings have forced some farmers to abandon their farmlands, resulting in reduced harvests and food supplies.
It also expressed concern over excessive food hoarding, exploitative market practices and artificial scarcity, warning that these could further worsen hunger and make essential food items unaffordable for ordinary Nigerians.
The Centre further warned that hate speech, misinformation, inflammatory political statements, religious intolerance and ethnic profiling ahead of the elections could threaten peaceful coexistence and national stability.
To address these challenges, IMC called on the Federal and State Governments to strengthen agricultural support through the provision of improved seeds, fertilisers, irrigation facilities and other essential farming inputs.
It also urged security agencies to improve protection for farming communities, while relevant government agencies should monitor food prices, discourage excessive hoarding and ensure affordable food distribution.
The Centre called on government, humanitarian organisations and development partners to provide targeted assistance to vulnerable households, internally displaced persons and affected farming communities.
Political parties, candidates and their supporters were also urged to avoid hate speech, misinformation and inflammatory statements, while religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth and women groups were encouraged to strengthen interfaith dialogue, early warning and community-based conflict prevention efforts.
The Interfaith Mediation Centre emphasised that food security is fundamental to peace, human dignity and national stability, warning that hunger, insecurity and political divisions could heighten social tensions and trigger community conflicts.
As Nigeria approaches another electoral period, the Centre urged all stakeholders and citizens to work together to address emerging threats, reject violence, promote peaceful democratic participation and protect national unity.
**Peace is a collective responsibility, and prevention remains better than response.*
Signed:
Pastor Michael Ikpa
Director, Early Warning and Early Response (EWER)/CPAN Desk
Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC)
Kaduna, Nigeria.
