ABUJA – The Institute of Security Nigeria (ISN) has thrown its weight behind the reconstituted Council of the Wise, describing it as a timely and strategic initiative capable of promoting peace, national cohesion and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a policy statement issued by the Institute, the security body said the Council, inaugurated by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development and chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (Rtd), represents a significant step towards preventing electoral violence through dialogue, strategic communication and consensus-building.
The Institute commended the founder of the Savannah Centre and Distinguished Fellow of the Institute, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, CFR, for his longstanding contributions to democracy, diplomacy, conflict resolution and national development, noting that his leadership lends credibility and strategic depth to the Council’s mandate.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s security challenges ahead of the 2027 elections cannot be addressed through kinetic operations alone, stressing that effective communication, public trust, early intervention and stakeholder engagement remain essential components of a peaceful electoral process.
The Institute urged political parties, government institutions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to cooperate fully with the Council of the Wise in promoting peaceful campaigns and credible elections.
It also encouraged the Council to prioritise strategic communication by countering misinformation, promoting civic education and strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.
To ensure lasting impact, the Institute recommended the establishment of similar peace structures at state and local government levels through State Councils of Elders and Community Peace Committees working alongside State Security Councils to strengthen early warning systems and conflict prevention mechanisms.
Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Institute pledged technical support in the areas of crisis communication, capacity building, conflict prevention and non-kinetic security strategies for security personnel, traditional institutions and community leaders.
The statement further called on the Federal Government to institutionalise preventive peace mechanisms through sustainable funding and appropriate legal frameworks, arguing that peace-building initiatives should become permanent features of Nigeria’s national security architecture rather than ad hoc interventions.
Operating under the leadership and patronage of General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, CFR, dfisn, the Institute maintained that the success of the 2027 general elections would depend on collective responsibility, justice, dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders.
“The Council of the Wise offers Nigeria a credible pathway towards peaceful, transparent and credible elections. As the nation prepares for another democratic transition, all stakeholders must place national interest above political differences and work together to preserve peace, strengthen democracy and safeguard the future of the country,” the statement concluded.
