Stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process have called for deeper collaboration among security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations, traditional institutions and other actors to prevent violence and ensure credible elections in 2027.
The Stakeholders consisted of Y.Z Ya’u Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Abdulsamad Abdu Zango, REC INEC, Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, Commissioner of Police, Kano, Friday Ebelo, Acting Zonal Director of the Kano Zonal Directorate for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Salma Dan Bappa, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kano State chapter, Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, lecturer from Bayero University Kano, Elizabeth Waziri, NTA Kano, and Professor Samaila Sulaiman, BUK.
They made the call on Thursday at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on “Strengthening Electoral Engagement for Peaceful 2027 General Elections in Nigeria”, organised by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, in partnership with Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Abuja.
The engagement, held at the Sa’adu Zungur Auditorium, Mambayya House, Kano, brought together representatives of key institutions to examine potential threats to the 2027 elections and develop strategies for peaceful political participation.
The Director of Mambayya House, Prof. Habu Muhammad Fagge, said the engagement was designed to bring together stakeholders whose responsibilities directly affect Nigeria’s democratic development.
Fagge said the forum provided an opportunity for security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and other actors to share ideas on strengthening the electoral process and preventing violence.
He acknowledged that similar initiatives had been organised in the past but said the persistence of electoral challenges made continued engagement necessary.
According to him, Nigeria must learn from the shortcomings of previous elections rather than allow past failures to determine the future.
“The meeting is aimed at ensuring that our negative past has now been turned to a positive future. That is precisely why we are here,” he said.
Representing the Executive Director of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, Alhaji Abdul-Qarni Abdulrazak said the organisation’s partnership with Mambayya House had lasted more than two decades, with joint programmes focusing on youth development, elections and anti-corruption.
Abdulrazak said early preparations were essential because elections should be treated as a continuous process rather than an activity limited to voting day.
“Election is not a one-day programme. Even though the vote will be one day, it is a process. And if we did not start the process in time, we may have a shambles election,” he said.
He urged Nigerians across religious, age and social groups to take ownership of the electoral process and participate actively in choosing their leaders.
“For a peaceful election, there must be engagement between all the stakeholders so that we can have a peaceful, transparent and credible election in Nigeria,” he said.
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, described the engagement as timely, particularly with political activities expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bakori said credible elections could not be achieved by a single institution, stressing the need for sustained cooperation among security agencies, INEC, academics, traditional institutions, civil society and other stakeholders.
“It’s very important and vital, at least, to have this kind of gathering of like minds—academicians, the security agencies, the electoral body INEC, as well as the traditional institutions,” he said.
He said the police would focus on maintaining law and order and creating an environment where citizens could exercise their civic rights without threats or intimidation.
“The police will maintain law and order and make sure that everybody exercises their civic duties and responsibilities without having any threats,” Bakori said.
The stakeholders said sustained dialogue, early preparation, citizen engagement and stronger inter-agency coordination would be critical to preventing electoral violence and improving public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
(The Whistler)
