HURIWA begs President to ensure free, fair elections in 2027

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (rtd), yesterday assumed the leadership of the reconstituted Council of the Wise.

The council is the initiative of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), aimed at promoting peaceful, free and credible elections ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

As part of its mandate, the council will visit President Bola Tinubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the leadership of political parties and other key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The council was inaugurated in Abuja by the former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari and founder of the Savannah Centre, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who charged members to help to create a conducive atmosphere for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

He said Nigerians must not allow detractors bent on exploiting the country’s fault lines to undermine national unity, peace and democratic development.
He said: “We all know that the story of Nigeria’s democratic development is riddled with tales of gloom, agony and discontent, with the potential of imploding, to give the prophets of doom what they had been advocating for- Nigeria’s collapse and disintegration as a country.

Earlier, Gambari said the Council of the Wise was established to tap into the collective experience, influence and wisdom of eminent Nigerians in promoting peaceful elections and democratic governance.

In her remarks, human rights advocate and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN), stressed the need for accountable and effective leadership to strengthen democracy and development.

The council is expected to begin nationwide consultations aimed at preventing electoral violence, promoting peaceful democratic participation and strengthening national cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to commit himself and his administration to conducting a free, fair, credible, transparent, and violence-free general election in 2027, describing it as the surest pathway to securing a place among the world’s most respected democratic leaders.

The association stated that Nigerians expect the President to publicly and unequivocally assure citizens that the 2027 General Elections would be conducted in strict accordance with democratic principles, constitutional provisions, and international best practices.

HURIWA urged the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and all relevant institutions to take decisive steps to guarantee free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in 2027.