By Gloria Ikibah
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has extended New Year greetings to Nigerians while raising serious concerns over insecurity, economic hardship and governance challenges, calling for urgent and deliberate action in 2026.
In a New Year message jointly signed by the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda; Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isa J.C; Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Madaki; and Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi, to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, the caucus congratulated citizens for making it into the new year despite the difficulties experienced in the past year.
The caucus acknowledged that surviving the previous year was significant, given the scale of national challenges.
“The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives extends hearty felicitations to all Nigerians, both at home and abroad as we joyfully enter Year 2026.
“The Caucus congratulates everyone for being alive to witness the birth of a New Year, amid the various challenges that the nation and citizens witnessed in the last year”, the statement read.
Reflecting on the country’s trajectory, the lawmakers said the new year offers a moment for honest assessment of Nigeria’s progress, describing the state of the nation in 2025 as troubling, highlighting rising insecurity, inflation, hunger, poverty and unemployment as major concerns.
“Today, been the first day of Year 2026, gives us the opportunity to have sincere introspection and frank reflections about the journey of our dear country, thus far.
“The situation of our country, particularly in 2025, was worrisome and fearful. The rising trend of insecurity across the country remains disturbing. Spiralling inflation, debilitating hunger, and corrosive poverty was evident in the lives of many people”, the caucus stressed.
The caucus stated that tackling insecurity must be a top priority in 2026, as it noted that development is impossible without peace and safety.
They also urged the Federal Government to take decisive steps to address infrastructure gaps, youth unemployment and corruption.
“In Year 2026, it is necessary to reiterate that there is an urgent need to comprehensively tackle insecurity, because true and meaningful development of a nation and people can only be achieved through peace, and safety of lives and properties.
“The Caucus urges the Federal Government to ingeniously address infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, and brazen corruption. To achieve all these, the government must be sincere, deliberate, and intentional”, the statement further read.
Calling for collective responsibility, the caucus appealed to Nigerians and leaders at all levels to work together for national renewal.
“Conscious of the fact that true nationhood is a continuous task, we enjoin Nigerians to collectively contribute towards surmounting these challenges in 2026.
“Nigeria is a blessed nation with enormous potentials, and our diversity remains one of our greatest assets”, it added.
They urged citizens to recommit to peaceful coexistence and national cohesion, stressing that the future of the country depends on unity and shared purpose.
“The future of Nigeria rests on our ability to stay united; regardless of the negative situations towards the fulfillment of common goals, desire and aspirations”, the caucus noted.
The Minority Caucus assured Nigerians of its continued vigilance and commitment to holding government accountable through legislative action.
“As a responsible and responsive Caucus, we assure Nigerians that we will in 2026 remain resolute and focussed on every national issue that requires legislative inquisition and actions”, the lawmakers said.
