By Rukevwe Odeh

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral and security sectors have raised concerns over emerging threats that could undermine the credibility and peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

They identified cyberattacks, artificial intelligence-driven disinformation, political violence, electoral logistics challenges and other forms of manipulation as major risks that require urgent attention ahead of the polls.

The concerns were expressed during the 13th annual African Gold Merit Award, Lecture and Award Induction Ceremony organised by Afrikanwatch Network Communications. The event, held under the theme, “Elections, Integrity and Security: Imperatives for a Peaceful Transition,” brought together journalists, security experts, political actors, civil society representatives and other stakeholders.

The programme also marked the 82nd birthday of the organisation’s Grand Patron, Anthony Adefuye.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Afrikanwatch Advisory Council, Nzeribe Okegbue, said the country’s democracy would become stronger if voters prioritised competence and integrity rather than allowing ethnic or religious considerations to influence their choices.

Okegbue maintained that credible elections depend on transparency, accountability, inclusive participation, impartial institutions and respect for the rule of law.

He also condemned the use of violence during elections, warning political actors against deploying thugs or other groups to intimidate opponents and voters in pursuit of political power.

Beyond physical violence, he urged stakeholders to prepare for growing digital threats, including cyberattacks, misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence to manipulate voters and distort public discourse.

According to him, securing the electoral process would require a coordinated effort involving government institutions, security agencies, technology specialists, the media and ordinary citizens.

The Editor-in-Chief of Afrikanwatch Network Communications, Mark Orgu, said many young Nigerians remained deeply concerned about the country’s future and wanted an environment that would enable them to stay, work and contribute to national development.

Orgu, while presenting the organisation’s 2027 memoir, said persistent leadership challenges, insecurity and electoral manipulation had continued to affect public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system.

He noted that the publication examined some of the major challenges confronting the country, particularly questions surrounding leadership, governance, elections and national security.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Andrew Obafemi, called on Nigerians to remain committed to the development of the country despite existing difficulties.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria could achieve peaceful and credible elections if all stakeholders were willing to play their roles responsibly.

Also speaking, Adefuye stressed that no electoral system was completely free of challenges, urging Nigerians not to abandon the democratic process but to participate actively in elections.

The keynote speaker, security analyst and founder of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Dr Kabiru Adamu, identified cyber threats, AI-generated disinformation, political violence and weaknesses in election logistics among the issues that could pose serious challenges to the 2027 polls.

Adamu argued that electoral integrity should not be treated merely as an electoral matter but as a national security concern because the credibility of an election directly affects the legitimacy of government and citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions.

He called for closer cooperation between the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, technology experts and media organisations.

The security expert further stressed that the outcome of the 2027 elections would depend not only on activities at polling stations but also on the behaviour of political parties, candidates, civil society groups and citizens before and after election day.

Veteran journalist and novelist Sam Omatseye also emphasised the role of citizens in achieving credible elections. He argued that although electoral institutions were important, the conduct, values and choices of the people remained equally critical to the success of the democratic process.

The event concluded with an award and induction ceremony during which several Nigerians were recognised for their contributions to society.

Briefing

The central message from the gathering is that Nigeria’s 2027 elections face both traditional and emerging threats. While political violence remains a longstanding concern, stakeholders are increasingly worried about cyberattacks and the use of artificial intelligence to produce and spread misleading information.

The speakers therefore urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 elections with greater responsibility, while calling on INEC, security agencies, political parties, the media, technology experts and civil society organisations to strengthen cooperation.

The stakeholders’ position is that protecting the integrity of the 2027 elections is not solely the responsibility of INEC or security agencies. It requires responsible conduct from political actors and citizens, effective security measures, accurate information, respect for electoral laws and peaceful acceptance of legitimate electoral outcomes.

Ultimately, they warned that the credibility of the 2027 elections will have significant implications for Nigeria’s democratic stability, national security, economic development and public confidence in government.