By Daniel Tyokua
Strategic stakeholders have forged new framework that would strengthen the security of 2027 general elections across the country.
Speaking at the 8th edition of Blueprint Newspaper’s public lecture, impact series and awards, Tuesday in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, called on Nigerians to take collective responsibility for the security of the country, stressing that the task should not be left to security agencies alone.
The event, themed “Security Challenges and the Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections,” brought together government officials, political leaders and other stakeholders to discuss security and the integrity of the electoral process.
The presidential spokesman emphasised that security was a shared responsibility involving government, security agencies and ordinary citizens.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and play an active role in helping security agencies prevent threats and respond to suspicious activities.
‘If you see something, say something’
Onanuga particularly stressed the importance of the principle of “if you see something, say something,” urging citizens to promptly report suspicious activities and information that could assist security agencies.
He said citizens have an important role to play in strengthening the country’s security architecture, especially as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The presidential spokesman’s remarks formed part of discussions at the Blueprint event on how to address security challenges that could affect the credibility and peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections.
In his submissions, former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari called for a credible and transparent 2027 general election, saying insecurity should not be allowed to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Yari, who spoke as chairman of the annual lecture, said the ruling party has a responsibility to demonstrate its commitment to democracy by ensuring that the election is free and fair.
“Coming from the ruling party, the signal I will send to others is that, despite the challenges of insecurity, the integrity of this election will be one of the first of its kind, by God’s grace,” he said.
On his part, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), said the ultimate objective of the 2027 elections must go beyond electing political office holders.
He said the greater objective should be the preservation of Nigeria’s unity, security, democratic confidence and constitutional order.
According to him, true security is not merely the absence of violence but the presence of confidence that every Nigerian can speak freely, assemble peacefully and vote without fear.
He said the country must also have confidence that its institutions would act with integrity, professionalism and fidelity to the Constitution.
The Minister, however, stressed that government and security agencies could not guarantee peaceful elections alone.
He challenged political parties to place national interest above partisan advantage and urged candidates to recognise that political competition should never be treated as warfare.
Musa called on the media to report with courage, accuracy and restraint, while urging civil society organisations to deepen civic education and promote peaceful participation.
Traditional and religious leaders, he said, must continue to serve as voices of moderation and reconciliation within their communities.
He also appealed to young Nigerians to reject attempts to recruit them as instruments of political violence or manipulation, saying their energy, talents and innovation were needed to strengthen rather than undermine democracy.
The Minister identified six pillars to be adopted to secure the 2027 election to include; strategic intelligence integration, electoral cyber resilience, civil-military coordination, unified strategic communication, responsible information environment, and engaged citizens.
“Every institution has a role. Every citizen has a responsibility. Every vote carries not only a political choice but also a commitment to the future of our Republic,” he said.
