By Godwin Akomah, Abeokuta
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s political atmosphere and worsening security situation as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.
Anyaoku spoke at the 2026 edition of the annual Obafemi Awolowo Lecture, held at the Ikenne residence of the late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo.
The lecture was organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, with Anyaoku serving as chairman of the occasion.
Anyaoku spoke at the 2026 edition of the annual Obafemi Awolowo Lecture, held at the Ikenne residence of the late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo.
The lecture was organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, with Anyaoku serving as chairman of the occasion.
In his remarks, the elder statesman said he would make “a very brief comment on only two of the major challenges currently facing our country,” namely the growing political focus on the 2027 elections and the persistent insecurity affecting many parts of Nigeria.
He observed that many political actors appear increasingly preoccupied with the next general elections even as the country battles severe security threats and humanitarian crises.
According to him, the conduct of the next polls will attract intense scrutiny from the international community, especially following controversies that surrounded the electronic transmission of election results during previous elections.
“The international community will be watching very closely the party campaigns, the processes and the actual conduct of the elections,” Anyaoku said.
He added that the outcome of the elections would be carefully assessed globally for fairness and credibility.
“The results of the elections will be assessed for their fairness and credibility by other countries, including in particular those with diplomatic representations in Nigeria,” he said.
Anyaoku therefore urged the nation’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, to ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and credible in order to sustain Nigeria’s democratic reputation.
The former Commonwealth chief also lamented the country’s worsening security situation, citing continued cases of kidnapping, abductions and killings across several states.
The former Commonwealth chief also lamented the country’s worsening security situation, citing continued cases of kidnapping, abductions and killings across several states.
He specifically mentioned Zamfara State, Kwara State, Niger State, Plateau State, Benue State and Sokoto State as areas severely affected by violent attacks and criminal activities.
He noted that despite more than a decade of efforts by authorities, insecurity has continued to worsen, leaving thousands of citizens displaced from their homes, farms and ancestral communities.
According to him, the growing population of internally displaced persons highlights the urgency for stronger measures to restore security across the country.
In this regard, Anyaoku said the Federal Government was justified in seeking collaboration and assistance from friendly nations to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
However, he cautioned that such collaboration must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“The only caveat should continue to be that in seeking to eliminate bandits and jihadists, the collaborative arrangement should remain mindful of respect for the sovereignty of Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the growing population of internally displaced persons highlights the urgency for stronger measures to restore security across the country.
In this regard, Anyaoku said the Federal Government was justified in seeking collaboration and assistance from friendly nations to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
However, he cautioned that such collaboration must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“The only caveat should continue to be that in seeking to eliminate bandits and jihadists, the collaborative arrangement should remain mindful of respect for the sovereignty of Nigeria,” he said.
The lecture titled “Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory of Action” was delivered by Professor Wale Adebanwi.
The Obafemi Awolowo Lecture is one of the flagship programmes of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, designed to promote dialogue on governance, democracy and national development while preserving the ideals of the late nationalist leader.
The event attracted prominent Nigerians and political leaders, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Kunle Salako.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Seyi Makinde, Gbenga Daniel, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, former Osun State governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, elder statesman Bode George, Gani Adams, and the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, among other distinguished guests.
By Godwin Akomah, Abeokuta
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s political atmosphere and worsening security situation as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.
Anyaoku spoke at the 2026 edition of the annual Obafemi Awolowo Lecture, held at the Ikenne residence of the late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo.
The lecture was organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, with Anyaoku serving as chairman of the occasion.
Anyaoku spoke at the 2026 edition of the annual Obafemi Awolowo Lecture, held at the Ikenne residence of the late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo.
The lecture was organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, with Anyaoku serving as chairman of the occasion.
In his remarks, the elder statesman said he would make “a very brief comment on only two of the major challenges currently facing our country,” namely the growing political focus on the 2027 elections and the persistent insecurity affecting many parts of Nigeria.
He observed that many political actors appear increasingly preoccupied with the next general elections even as the country battles severe security threats and humanitarian crises.
According to him, the conduct of the next polls will attract intense scrutiny from the international community, especially following controversies that surrounded the electronic transmission of election results during previous elections.
“The international community will be watching very closely the party campaigns, the processes and the actual conduct of the elections,” Anyaoku said.
He added that the outcome of the elections would be carefully assessed globally for fairness and credibility.
“The results of the elections will be assessed for their fairness and credibility by other countries, including in particular those with diplomatic representations in Nigeria,” he said.
Anyaoku therefore urged the nation’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, to ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and credible in order to sustain Nigeria’s democratic reputation.
The former Commonwealth chief also lamented the country’s worsening security situation, citing continued cases of kidnapping, abductions and killings across several states.
The former Commonwealth chief also lamented the country’s worsening security situation, citing continued cases of kidnapping, abductions and killings across several states.
He specifically mentioned Zamfara State, Kwara State, Niger State, Plateau State, Benue State and Sokoto State as areas severely affected by violent attacks and criminal activities.
He noted that despite more than a decade of efforts by authorities, insecurity has continued to worsen, leaving thousands of citizens displaced from their homes, farms and ancestral communities.
According to him, the growing population of internally displaced persons highlights the urgency for stronger measures to restore security across the country.
In this regard, Anyaoku said the Federal Government was justified in seeking collaboration and assistance from friendly nations to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
However, he cautioned that such collaboration must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“The only caveat should continue to be that in seeking to eliminate bandits and jihadists, the collaborative arrangement should remain mindful of respect for the sovereignty of Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the growing population of internally displaced persons highlights the urgency for stronger measures to restore security across the country.
In this regard, Anyaoku said the Federal Government was justified in seeking collaboration and assistance from friendly nations to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
However, he cautioned that such collaboration must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“The only caveat should continue to be that in seeking to eliminate bandits and jihadists, the collaborative arrangement should remain mindful of respect for the sovereignty of Nigeria,” he said.
The lecture titled “Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory of Action” was delivered by Professor Wale Adebanwi.
The Obafemi Awolowo Lecture is one of the flagship programmes of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, designed to promote dialogue on governance, democracy and national development while preserving the ideals of the late nationalist leader.
The event attracted prominent Nigerians and political leaders, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Kunle Salako.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Seyi Makinde, Gbenga Daniel, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, former Osun State governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, elder statesman Bode George, Gani Adams, and the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, among other distinguished guests.
