The League of Northern Democrats (LND) has charged Northern governors to live up to their responsibilities by putting in place measures to protect their states.

The democrats also warned against the recent call for negotiations with bandits, saying dialogue only has meaning if tied to verifiable disarmament and real de-escalation to protect citizens and restore order. In resolutions made after a meeting in Abuja, LND commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over handling of the ongoing political party registration process, urging it to sustain the tempo to strengthen public confidence in the electoral system. According to the resolutions of the meeting signed by Mohmood Tunde Hassan, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, the league condemned ongoing negotiations by some communities in the north, saying, ?while all legitimate measures to end insecurity are welcome, giving criminals a free pass in the name of dialogue is unacceptable and amounts to legitimizing terror. ?True peace processes require military-secure areas, enforced ceasefires, neutral weapon-free venues, third-party verification of disarmament, and strict civilian protection. The Katsina episode ignored these fundamentals and undermined both security and accountability. ?Northern Governors must assume responsibility for securing their states. Excuses of structural constraints are hollow?no law prevents them from protecting their people.? LND therefore, called on all stakeholders to rededicate themselves to repositioning the North within the Nigerian mainstream by tackling the existential challenges holding the nation down. ?All pre-qualified bodies and stakeholders are called upon to respect the rules of engagement in the overall interest of Nigeria?s democracy (Daily Trust)

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