As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has called for greater political responsibility, warning that security agencies alone cannot guarantee peaceful polls.
Speaking at the eighth edition of the Blueprint Newspaper Lecture, Impact Series and Awards, themed “Security Challenges and the Integrity of the 2027 Elections,” Musa said the success of the electoral process would depend on political actors rejecting violence, misinformation and actions that could undermine public confidence.
Represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Policy and Strategy, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi (retd.), the minister urged political parties and candidates to place national interest above partisan considerations. He stressed that political competition should not be treated as warfare.
“No security architecture, regardless of how sophisticated, can guarantee peaceful elections if political actors choose violence over dialogue. No electoral law can succeed where misinformation is allowed to replace truth”, Musa said.
He proposed a six-point framework to strengthen election security, covering strategic intelligence, threat assessment, digital infrastructure protection, electoral cyber resilience, civil-military coordination and unified strategic communications.
Musa said the Ministry of Defence would work with the ONSA, Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, DSS, DIA, INEC and other relevant institutions to support a peaceful electoral process. He reiterated that the military had no partisan interest in the outcome of the elections.
“The Armed Forces have no partisan interest in the outcome of elections. Our institutional interest is that Nigeria remains peaceful, united and secure”, he said.
Musa stressed that the military’s allegiance was to the Constitution and the Nigerian people.
“Our allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our loyalty is to the Nigerian people”, he said.
The minister also urged the media to maintain accuracy and restraint in election reporting, while calling on civil society, traditional and religious leaders to promote peaceful participation. He further urged young Nigerians to reject political violence.
“Our young people must reject every attempt to recruit them as instruments of violence or manipulation. Their talents are needed not to disrupt democracy, but to strengthen it”, he said.
Musa said all stakeholders must work together to ensure credible elections and a peaceful, united Nigeria after the 2027 polls.
