2027: Tinubu’s govt will ensure peaceful, credible election – Idris

Federal Government Reaffirms Commitment to Secure 2027 Elections

ABUJA – Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, emphasized the Nigerian government’s dedication to ensuring a secure and transparent environment ahead of the 2027 elections. His comments were made during an event on Tuesday in Abuja.

Idris stated that the integrity of elections is influenced not only by the events of election day but also by the surrounding security context, the credibility of institutions, the behavior of political candidates, the professionalism of the media, and the quality of information accessible to the public.

He underlined that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, safeguarding Nigerians’ security and welfare remains a primary governmental responsibility. The minister assured that the government would continue to deploy necessary resources, personnel, and technology to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, among other threats to public safety.

Idris also addressed the rising challenges of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in light of advancements in Artificial Intelligence, which have facilitated the creation of false yet convincing audio and visual content. He remarked, “Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are deliberately misled.”

Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, former Governor of Zamfara State and current representative for the Zamfara West Senatorial District, also spoke at the event. He highlighted that the issue of insecurity should involve not only security agencies but also political leaders, communities, and citizens. Yari drew from his experience in government to point out that insecurity has persisted across multiple administrations, advising against politicizing this critical issue. “The issue of insecurity is not something to be traded with for the purpose of winning the hearts of the citizens,” he said.

Major General O.T. Akinjobi, representing Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to election security in light of evolving threats. Akinjobi noted that the traditional focus on securing polling units must expand to encompass cyber threats, misinformation campaigns, and efforts to undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

“Election security can no longer be viewed simply as protecting polling stations. It is fundamentally about safeguarding democratic legitimacy,” he stated, advocating for intelligence-driven security planning, enhanced cybersecurity measures, inter-agency cooperation, and greater civic engagement.

Akinjobi expressed confidence in the continued strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering peace, stability, national unity, and sustainable development.

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