Security concerns deepen as 2027 polls approach

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, mounting insecurity across several regions is raising serious concerns about the country’s readiness to conduct peaceful, credible and inclusive polls.

Security experts and civil society actors have warned that unless urgent and strategic interventions are undertaken, the elections could be overshadowed by violence, widespread voter apathy and declining public trust in the democratic process.

In an exclusive interview, security analyst and retired military officer, Captain Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, described Nigeria’s security architecture as “fragile and overstretched,” warning that the prevailing conditions pose significant risks to the electoral process.

“Nigeria is currently contending with multiple and overlapping threats — insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, as well as communal conflicts and separatist agitations in other regions,” he said.

“These challenges have significantly overstretched our security forces and created dangerous gaps that could easily be exploited during a politically sensitive period like elections.”

Adamu noted that election cycles in Nigeria have historically coincided with spikes in violence and cautioned that 2027 may follow a similar pattern if proactive steps are not taken.

“Elections in Nigeria are not just political exercises; they are high-risk periods. You often see an increase in the activities of armed groups, political thuggery and the spread of misinformation. All of these combine to create a volatile environment,” he said.

He criticised what he described as a largely reactive security approach, arguing that authorities often respond to crises only after damage has been done.

“One of our biggest problems is that we respond to incidents after they occur, rather than preventing them. There is a lack of strong coordination among security agencies, and community-based intelligence remains weak. Without addressing these issues, we are simply managing crises instead of preventing them.”

Security is not just the responsibility of the military or the police; it is a collective responsibility.”

He called for early planning, improved inter-agency collaboration and stronger engagement with local communities well ahead of 2027.

“We need to start preparing now, not a few months to the elections. Security must go beyond force; it must include trust-building and addressing the root causes of conflict such as poverty, unemployment and marginalisation,” he said.

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Adamu warned that failure to act decisively could further erode public confidence in democracy.

“When citizens begin to feel that their votes do not count or that participating in elections puts their lives at risk, democracy itself is weakened. That is the danger we face if insecurity is not addressed.”

Civil society actors say these fears are already shaping public perception, particularly in northern Nigeria where attacks and kidnappings have become frequent.

An ad hoc staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who participated in the 2023 general elections and requested anonymity, recounted a traumatic experience that has discouraged her from future participation.

“I will never participate in elections again, neither as a staff member nor as a voter, because the price I paid the last time is still fresh in my memory. I may be suffering from PTSD,” she said.

She narrated how armed men attacked her polling unit shortly before the close of voting.

“We were just about to conclude voting for the day when armed men stormed the place and abducted two of us along with the ballot box. They took us deep into the forest and altered the votes before forcing us back into their vehicle and returning to town with us.”

She added that she remains grateful to have survived the ordeal.

“How can I trust the government to provide adequate security when they couldn’t protect us while we were working for them?” she asked.

With insecurity reportedly worsening in several parts of the country, she said she has no intention of participating in the 2027 elections.

“This election is coming at a time when insecurity is even worse than before. Count me out. I will use election day as a break to rest,” she said.