The Ebonyi State Commander of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Mr Larry Igwe, has called for constitutional backing for political zoning arrangements in Nigeria, arguing that the practice would promote political stability, reduce electoral violence and strengthen national unity.
Igwe, who made the call while speaking on the implications of the zoning arrangement recently adopted by stakeholders in Ebonyi State, described the decision as a demonstration of political maturity and a positive development for Nigeria's democratic process.
He said although zoning remained an internal political party mechanism, institutionalising the principle through constitutional provisions would encourage fairness, promote political inclusion and minimise unnecessary rivalry among competing political interests.
According to him, the adoption of zoning by Ebonyi stakeholders, particularly in favour of Ebonyi North Senatorial District, reflects an understanding of the need to preserve political balance and peaceful coexistence among the state's three senatorial zones.
"The Ebonyi State stakeholders have demonstrated the highest level of maturity by adopting the zoning formula, which actually favours Ebonyi North.
"Yes, zoning is an internal party mechanism, but it is the best thing to happen to our democracy because stakeholders have recognised the benefits of maintaining the arrangement," he said.
The NFSS commander maintained that adherence to zoning agreements would help reduce political tension, criminal activities, hate speech and violence often associated with intense political competition.
He urged legislators and the Federal Government to consider constitutional provisions that would encourage political actors to respect rotational arrangements, particularly when a particular zone is constitutionally or politically due for a leadership position.
Igwe argued that such an arrangement would also reduce the enormous financial resources expended by aspirants during prolonged political contests, thereby allowing resources to be channelled towards productive ventures and economic development.
"If we can maintain this zoning arrangement from the party level and also give it constitutional backing, I think that will be the best thing that can happen to our democracy and the country at large.
"It will reduce unnecessary spending and boost our economy. But if everybody is spending our hard-earned resources in the struggle for political positions, we are not gaining anything; rather, we are losing," he added.
On the rising incidents of political attacks allegedly involving supporters of rival political interests, Igwe condemned the use of youths as instruments of violence, warning that those who participate in political thuggery were ultimately endangering their own future.
He commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) for publicly condemning political attacks and violence reportedly perpetrated by supporters of some political parties in parts of the country.
However, he stressed that political leaders must translate such condemnations into concrete actions by discouraging their supporters from engaging in activities capable of threatening public peace.
The security chief particularly commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for what he described as effective security coordination and crowd management during the APC presidential campaign rally held in Ebonyi State on November 9.
He said the governor's ability to manage the large turnout of supporters without allowing the gathering to degenerate into violence demonstrated his commitment to peace and security.
"I commend our governor because he is a security-loving governor. The peaceful coexistence of the mammoth crowd and the way the activities were controlled deserve commendation.
"Ordinarily, if the governor did not have the capacity and the necessary security arrangements, a lot of things could have happened," Igwe said.
He appealed to young people across the state to resist attempts by politicians to recruit them for violent activities, urging them instead to pursue productive engagements and protect their future.
Addressing concerns about security preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NFSS commander assured residents that the service was prepared to contribute to a peaceful electoral process through personnel deployment and grassroots security surveillance.
He explained that the service's familiarity with forest terrains, rural settlements and difficult-to-access communities placed it in a strategic position to support other security agencies in intelligence gathering and the maintenance of law and order.
Igwe said the service would ensure adequate personnel presence across communities to monitor political activities, identify potential security threats and assist in maintaining peace before, during and after the elections.
"We are prepared because the Nigeria Forest Security Service is familiar with every terrain. We are the indigenous security outfit in our respective states and are positioned to assist other security agencies by showing them where security challenges are occurring.
"We will ensure that our personnel are present in different locations, monitoring activities and making sure there is peace in every community," he stated.
He, however, emphasized that the NFSS remained committed to supporting all political parties and candidates who conducted their campaigns within the ambit of the law, irrespective of their political affiliations.
According to him, the service would not tolerate political actors who resort to intimidation, violence or other unlawful activities, stressing that all parties must comply with their respective constitutions and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Igwe urged political parties to focus their campaigns on their manifestoes, records and development programmes rather than resorting to personal attacks and the mobilisation of supporters against political opponents.
Meanwhile, residents of Ebonyi State have commended the activities of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, calling on the state and Federal Governments to strengthen the operational capacity of its personnel through improved welfare packages, logistics, mobility and adequate office accommodation.
The residents said enhanced institutional support would enable the personnel to discharge their responsibilities more effectively, particularly in rural communities and forest corridors where criminal elements could exploit difficult terrain to evade conventional security surveillance.
They also stressed the importance of providing operational vehicles, communication equipment and other essential working tools to improve response time, intelligence coordination and collaboration with conventional security agencies.
The residents maintained that sustained government investment in the service would strengthen community-level security architecture, improve public confidence and complement ongoing efforts to combat crime and criminality across Ebonyi State.
