Idris assures Nigerians of FG’s commitment to credible, peaceful 2027 elections
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring credible, peaceful and transparent elections in 2027.
Idris gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja at the 8th Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards of Excellence organised by Blueprint Newspapers Limited, with the theme, “Security Challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections”.
He said electoral integrity depended not only on events on election day but also on the security environment, credibility of institutions, conduct of political actors, professionalism of the media and the quality of information available to citizens.
“For the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security and welfare of Nigerians remain fundamental responsibilities of government,” the minister said, adding that the government would continue to deploy resources, personnel and technology to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
Idris also identified misinformation and disinformation, particularly those enabled by artificial intelligence, as growing threats to democracy. He said the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders, had established the International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja to strengthen media and information literacy.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), represented by Maj. Gen. O.T. Akinjobi, said election security had gone beyond protecting polling units and electoral materials to include cyber threats, misinformation, disinformation and attempts to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions. He called for intelligence-led security planning, stronger cybersecurity, inter-agency coordination and strategic communication.
Former Zamfara State Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’Aziz Yari, said insecurity should not be left solely to security agencies, urging political leaders, communities and citizens to contribute to efforts to make the country safer. “The issue of insecurity is not something to be traded with for the purpose of winning the hearts of the citizens,” he said.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint Newspapers, Salisu Umar, said the annual lecture, which began in 2018, provides a platform for discussing issues of national importance and recognising Nigerians who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and impact.
