Savannah Centre to establish Council of Wise for 2027 elections
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a pro-democracy and human development centre, the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), is set to constitute a Council of the Wise
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a pro-democracy and human development centre, the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), is set to constitute a Council of the Wise to advocate for national peace before, during, and after the elections.
The Centre, a brainchild of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the immediate past Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, also urged the Federal Government, through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to reconstitute its National Peace Committee as part of efforts to ensure hitch-free elections in 2027.
The Executive Director of the Centre, Amb. Sani Bala disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja at a press conference to review the state of the Nigerian nation.
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Concerned by the dwindling nationwide voter turnout at successive elections, the Centre said the proposed Council of the Wise would be saddled with the responsibility of embarking on nationwide advocacy by engaging all presidential candidates, political party leaders, and other stakeholders in elections management, as well as the electorates for peaceful elections.
The SCDDD boss, who said a similar Council was established in the 2015 and 2023 general elections, noted that the membership of the wisemen shall be announced soon after wider consultations.
"Like we had the Justice Muhammadu Uwais Council of the Wise in 2015, the Centre shall reconstitute its famous Council of the Wise to continue our advocacy and support for free, fair, and credible general elections in 2027.
"Membership of the Council shall be made up of eminent and respected Nigerians with impeccable pedigrees. Aside from the chairman, each geopolitical zone, representatives of the youth and persons with disabilities will be on the council."
On security, the Centre acknowledged the "notable achievements" in restoring peace to several states but warned that the "alarming rapid penetration" of terrorists and bandits into Southern Nigeria remains a grave concern.
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While commending the government for increased defense spending and the creation of specialized units like the Forest Guards, the SCDDD urged the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to update the National Security Strategy Document.
The Centre also emphasized that guns alone would not solve the crisis, advocating for a "non-kinetic approach" centered on youth employment and social welfare.
According to Bala, "It is imperative to reemphasize the use of non-kinetic approaches such as youth employment, vibrant industrial economy, and investment in social welfare of the people," the statement read.
On the international front, the SCDDD raised concerns over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' waning visibility. The Centre noted that Nigeria’s foreign policy has not undergone a formal review since 1981—a 45-year gap that they argue leaves the nation ill-equipped for modern global politics.
To rectify this, the Centre proposed a national dialogue before the 2027 general elections to reposition the Nigerian Foreign Service and protect national interests within a shifting "rule-based world order."
