The Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, founded by former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, has inaugurated a reconstituted Council of the Wise, chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (retd.), to help prevent electoral violence and promote free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The inauguration was announced on Tuesday in Abuja by Gambari, who is also the chairman of the centre.
He charged the council to engage key stakeholders and foster a peaceful political atmosphere that reflects the will of Nigerians.
He said the Ariwoola-led Concil of the Wise will hold consultations with major national stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, President Bola Tinubu, opposition presidential candidates such as Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement, alongside security agencies, religious leaders, and traditional rulers, in a bid to ensure a peaceful and credible 2027 general election.
Established in 1993 by Prof Gambari, the SCDDD is a leading non-governmental organisation focused on research, advocacy, and policy engagement in the areas of democracy, conflict resolution, and sustainable development across Nigeria and Africa.
The centre advances inclusive governance and human security by shaping public policy through evidence-based research, dialogue, and practical, context-driven solutions.
The council comprises respected Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones to engage key stakeholders and promote national unity and democratic governance.
The first council was chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the late Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, while the second was led by former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (retd).
Members of the Council of the Wise include former University of Ilorin Vice Chancellor, Prof Shuaibu Oba Abdulraheem; veteran actress and producer, Mrs Joke Silva; former ambassador and PANDEF National Chairman, Amb Dr Godknows Igali; renowned human rights advocate, Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo; former GIABA Director-General and diplomat, Prof Abdullahi Shehu Yibaikwal; media and public policy expert, Tunji Lardner; retired career ambassador and migration specialist, Amb Abdulaziz Dankano.
Others include the peace advocate and founder of the Kalthum Foundation for Peace, Amb Ummu Kalthum Muhammad; National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Malam Abdullahi Aliyu Usman; and the Executive Director of the Savannah Centre, Amb Sani Saulawa Bala.
Prof Gambari said Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 has been marred by electoral malpractices, including thuggery, hate speech, vote-buying, ballot-box stuffing and candidate imposition, which have continued to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
He noted that insecurity, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency and other violent conflicts across the country, has further threatened democracy and national development.
Gambari warned that the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections was increasingly tense, with challenges becoming more widespread and complex.
He added, “The purpose of establishing the Council of the Wise is to tap from the individual and collective knowledge, rich experience and wisdom of the members to facilitate the creation of a congenial socio-political atmosphere for peaceful, credible, free and fair elections to take place under an independent, responsive, responsible and impartial leadership, thereby deepening democracy in Nigeria.
“Therefore, the council is expected to pay attention and lay emphasis on challenges and also some specific action points while engaging with the stakeholders in accordance with the dictates of council members’ wise counsel and conduct in carrying out the responsibilities. The council can expand or adjust the action points as it deems fit.
“The council is also requested to take appropriate actions that will help in building trust and national consciousness, sense of responsibility and mutual respect among the state and non-state actors involved in the 2027 election process.”
He listed stakeholders recommended for the council to engage with to include, the President, Chief of Staff to the President, leadership of political parties, political parties’ flagbearers, former presidents and heads of state, the National Security Adviser, heads of security agencies especially IGP, INEC chairman, CJN, governors, traditional leaders, religious leaders, youth and women groups, the diplomatic community and the media.
“In conclusion, My Lord Honourable Justice Ariwoola and other members of the Council of the Wise, I wish to respectfully request you to kindly rise for your inauguration to the glory of God Almighty and for the betterment of our country Nigeria, on behalf of the board of directors of SCDDD and my humble self as its chairman,” Gambari said.
He added that the Ariwoola-led council had been tasked with fostering a peaceful and enabling environment for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
“I have the singular honour of inaugurating the Savannah Centre’s reconstituted Council of the wise under the able leadership of Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON, retired CJN and members as acknowledged earlier, and charged with the responsibility of facilitating conducive atmosphere and especially the prevention of violence before, during and after the 2027 general elections in Nigeria so that we have free, fair and credible 2027 general elections, which reflects the wish and aspirations of the people of our great country,” he said. Responding on behalf of the COW members, Ariwoola said the council was committed to promoting a credible leadership selection process that produces accountable and people-focused leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that the council would engage key stakeholders across the country to foster national unity, strengthen democracy and support peaceful, credible elections.
“I also wish to assure the chairman of our individual and collective commitment to do our best in the discharge of the responsibilities assigned to us in the interest of our dear country.
“Permit me to specially appreciate the board and management of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, who find my colleagues in the council worthy of being assigned this nationalistic and selfless duty.
“As we have, over the years, been supporting courses that would continuously unite Nigeria and strengthen its democratic institutions across the board, this is another opportunity to do more.
“Finally, as I conclude, it is important for me to mention that every one of us owes it a duty as a Nigerian to team up and work for the peace, unity and prosperity of our country, irrespective of our faith, tribes and sometimes political leaning. Nigeria is our own, and we must make it work,” he said.
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