The Federal Government, on Tuesday, said the 2027 general election would be shaped by the security environment, the credibility of institutions, the conduct of political actors, the professionalism of the media and the quality of information available to citizens.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, at the 8th Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards of Excellence organised by Blueprint Newspapers Limited, stated that the security and welfare of Nigerians have been the fundamental responsibilities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government.
This is as he pledged that the Federal Government would continue to mobilise the resources, personnel and technology required to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other threats to the safety of Nigerians.
Idris also highlighted the growing threats posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence, which he said has made it increasingly possible to create convincing but fabricated audio, video and images.
“Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are deliberately misled,” he said, disclosing that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders, had established the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja to strengthen media and information literacy.
He commended Blueprint Newspapers for sustaining the annual platform, describing it as an important avenue for policymakers, professionals, academics, the media and other stakeholders to engage on issues of national importance.
Former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, advised that insecurity should not be treated as the responsibility of security agencies alone.
Yari, who was Chairman of the occasion, called on political leaders, communities, citizens and other stakeholders to play their part in tackling insecurity in the country.
The Senator, who shared his experience when he was in government, said the challenge of insecurity had persisted across successive administrations and electoral cycles and warned against politicising the issue.
“The issue of insecurity is not something to be traded with for the purpose of winning the hearts of the citizens,” he stated, and urged Nigerians to collectively work towards making the country safer for present and future generations.
Etsu Nupe His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, who was the royal father of the day, in his message, said Nigeria’s challenges should not diminish the nation’s enormous human and intellectual potential.
Alhaji Abubakar, who was represented by Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo, the Andoma of Doma, stated that “there is no alternative to indivisible Nigeria”, adding that Nigerians should take responsibility for building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), said emerging threats such as cyber interference, misinformation, disinformation and attempts to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions mean that security could no longer be limited to protecting polling units and electoral materials.
The Minister, who was represented by Major General O.T. Akinjobi, said the changing security environment required a broader approach to election security.
“Election security can no longer be viewed simply as protecting polling stations. It is fundamentally the protection of democratic legitimacy,” he said, and called for intelligence-led security planning, stronger cybersecurity, inter-agency coordination, strategic communication and greater citizen participation.
