Cadre Harmonisé assessment should not be turned into political propaganda – Kyari
Omeiza Bilal
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has cautioned opposition political actors against weaponizing the latest food security data for political propaganda, emphasizing that food insecurity is a national challenge that requires collective responsibility rather than partisan point-scoring.
Clarifying the findings of the October 2026 Cadre Harmonisé assessment, Kyari stressed that the report is an early warning analytical tool, not a political forecast. Developed by the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) alongside global technical partners including the FAO, WFP, UNICEF, and FEWS NET, the tool aims to assist governments and development partners in early response planning.
Rebutting claims by opposition figures who attributed the projected numbers to the current administration’s policies ahead of the 2027 elections, the Minister clarified the data dynamics and seasonal contexts.
”The assessment does not say that 33.5 million Nigerians will face food insecurity because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is re-elected in 2027. That interpretation was added for political purposes. It is disheartening to see food insecurity being used as a political tool; exploiting the struggles of Nigerians is not patriotism, but a great disservice to our nation,” Kyari stated.
He further pointed out that the projected figure of 33.5 million for the June–August 2027 lean season actually reflects a notable decline from the 34.8 million recorded during the corresponding period in 2026. He noted that key drivers highlighted by the framework such as climate change, irregular rainfall patterns, and the Super El Niño phenomenon, are global environmental shocks rather than consequences of any specific political administration.
Kyari highlighted that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is actively taking steps to bolster food production, enhance storage, expand agricultural financing through the Bank of Agriculture, and scale up mechanization and dry-season farming.
Crucially, he linked food security to ongoing security achievements, noting that restored peace in previously volatile areas has enabled farmers to return to their lands.
“Areas such as Marte and Guzamala in Borno State, which were previously inaccessible to data collectors, have experienced improved stability, allowing the Cadre Harmonisé exercise to be conducted in these areas. Food security cannot be achieved without farmers being able to safely cultivate their land,” he explained.
Calling for constructive engagement over partisan exploitation, the Minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a climate-resilient agricultural framework.
“We welcome scrutiny. We welcome constructive criticism. But there is a clear difference between legitimate political debate and deliberately misrepresenting a technical assessment for electoral propaganda,” Kyari concluded. “Millions of Nigerians are affected by these challenges. Their food, livelihoods, and wellbeing should never be reduced to political talking points.”
