By Bare Adebayo Akinade
POLICY STATEMENT of
INSTITUTE OF SECURITY NIGERIA on The Inaugration of the Council of the WiSe BY THE SAVANNAH CENTRE FOR DIPLOMACY, DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT AHEAD OF THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
The Institute of Security Nigeria notes with commendation the inauguration of the reconstituted Council of the Wise by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy_ and Development. chaired by His Lordship, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, CFR, rtd, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the Institute recognises that electoral violence, misinformation, and loss of public trust remain potent threats to national security and democratic consolidation. The establishment of a high-level, non-partisan council drawn from the six geopolitical zones to engage INEC, security agencies, political actors, traditional rulers, and religious leaders is a timely strategic intervention.
The Institute particularly appreciates the leadership of Prof Ibrahim Gambari, CFR, a distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Security Nigeria, for sustaining the Savannah Centre’s legacy of research, dialogue, and evidence-based advocacy in democracy, conflict resolution, and human security since 1993. This initiative aligns fully with the Institute’s positior that strategic communications and elite consensus-building are critical non-kinetic tools for preventing conflict and securing Nigeria’s future.
The Institute therefore:
i. Commends the Savannah Centre and the Council of the Wise for this proactive step to de- escalate tensions and promote a peaceful electoral process : Encourages all stakeholders, government, political parties, security agencies, media, civil society, and citizens – to cooperate with the Council and prioritize dialogue, verified information, and national unity over divisive rhetoric.
iii. Reaffirms its commitment to support capacity building for security personnel and community leaders on crisis communication, early warning, and conflict prevention in line with our Strategic Communications framework.
iv. Calls on policymakers to institutionalize similar multi-stakeholder peace mechanisms at state and LGA levels, so that lessons from national initiatives translate into grassroots resilience.
Nigeria’s security cannot be achieved by kinetic operations alone. Communications, dialogue, and trust-building must lead. The Council of the Wise provides a credible platform for that work, The Institute of Security Nigeria stands ready to collaborate with the Savannah Centre and all partners to ensure the 2027 elections are peaceful, credible, and reflective of the will of Nigerians,
In this context, the Savannah Centre’s decision to reactivate the Council of the Wise is both timely and strategic The Council’s mandate to engage INEC, the Presidency, opposition leaders security agencies, traditional rulers, and religious institutions reflects the Institute’s long-held doctrine: “Weapons clear territory. Communications and consensus secure it,” Preventive diplomacy through credible, non-partisan elders reduces the information vacuum that violent actors and political extremists exploit.
Institute further observes three critical strengths of this initiative:
The Institutional memory and credibility: The Council draws from the legacy of the Uwais and i Bulkachuwa-led councils. Credibility of former CINs and respected national figures increases the weight of mediation and reduces perception of partisanship ii. Multi-stakeholder architecture; Direct engagement with security _ agencies and INEC bridges the gap between political dialogue and operational security planning. This aligns with best practice in election security management under ECOWAS and AU frameworks. iii. Early intervention: Launching 22 months before 2027 allows the Council to shape norms, discourage hate speech, and build resilience at state and community levels before tension
peaks.
Appreciation
The Institute commends Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, CFR, dfisn, Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Security Nigeria and founder of the Savannah Centre, for his consistent leadership in advancing democracy, conflict resolution, and sustainable development since 1993. Prof Gambari’s service as Chief of Staff, UN Under-Secretary-General, and diplomat embodies the integration of security, diplomacy, and governance that Nigeria urgently needs. His stewardship
gives the Council the strategic depth required for impact.,
Encouragement and Call to Action
Under the leadership and patronage of General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, CFR, dfisn, the Institute of
Security Nigeria:
Fully endorses the Council of the Wise as a national asset for election security and social cohesion. We urge all political actors, state governments, and security agencies to grant the Council access and cooperation. ii. Encourages the Council to integrate strategic communications as a core workstream: rapid response to misinformation, public trust campaigns, and training of community communicators. This will amplify the Council’s preventive impact. ii. Recommends replication of the Council model at state and LGA levels through State Councils of Elders and Peace Committees, tied to State Security Councils. Oyo State’s June 2026 curfew response proves that state-level coordination saves lives and property. iv. Reaffirms the Institute’s commitment to provide technical support in capacity building for security personnel, traditional rulers, and community leaders on crisis communication, early warning, and non-kinetic conflict prevention. Calls on government to institutionalize funding and legal recognition for preventive peace councils. Ad hoc initiatives must evolve into permanent architecture within Nigeria’s national security strategy.
Conclusion
The 2027 elections will test Nigeria’s democratic resilience. The Council of the Wise, led by Justice Ariwoola and founded by Distinguished Fellow Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, offers a credible pathway to peace. The Institute of Security Nigeria, under the patronage of General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, CFR, dfisn, stands ready to partner with the Savannah Centre and all stakeholders to ensure the elections strengthen, not fracture, the Nigerian state,
Peace is not the absence of competition. It s the presence of justice, dialogue, and_shared responsibjity.
