A non-partisan community group, Ilorin Likeminds Foundation, has called for electoral integrity and comprehensive security reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President of the Foundation, Lukman Atanda Abdullahi who made the call in Illorin, warned that the imposition of political leaders on the electorate could undermine public confidence in the democratic process and contribute to insecurity in the country.
He stressed the need to uphold the sanctity of the ballot and ensure that Nigerians are allowed to freely choose their leaders through credible and transparent elections.
According to him, “respect for the people’s mandate is essential for promoting peace, political stability and national development.”
The Foundation also urged relevant stakeholders to strengthen democratic institutions and implement reforms that would enhance public trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, attempts to impose candidates on voters often breed resentment and create conditions that could undermine security.
“I have chosen a path to serve my community without being a politician. Partisan politics, I would never be a part of it,” he said.
The community leader who is also the Chairman of the Abuja branch of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressives Union (IEDPU) urged political actors and electoral authorities to ensure that votes count and that the voices of citizens are respected at the polls.
“When people feel that leaders are being imposed on them rather than elected through a credible process, frustration and instability may follow,” he said.
On security, Abdullahi called for greater investment in intelligence gathering and operational capacity for security agencies, noting Nigeria’s security challenges.
He said “the police would be better positioned to combat crime if adequately equipped and strengthened in information and intelligence gathering.”
Abdullahi also advocated the full implementation of community policing, arguing that stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities would improve crime prevention and response.
He further backed the creation of state police, saying “officers who understand local languages, cultures and terrains would be more effective in policing their communities and gathering actionable intelligence.”
According to him, locally recruited officers are better placed to identify criminal elements and respond quickly to security threats within their areas of operation.
Abdullahi maintained that lasting peace and security require a combination of credible elections, accountable governance and a well-equipped security architecture.
His remarks came amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections and growing calls from stakeholders for reforms aimed at deepening democracy and enhancing security across the country.
