By Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza
The reported directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Department of State Services (DSS) to provide adequate security protection for presidential candidates and their running mates ahead of the 2027 general elections deserves acknowledgement and commendation.
If faithfully implemented, the directive represents an important affirmation of a fundamental democratic principle: the security of those participating in the electoral process must never be determined by their political affiliation.
President Tinubu is the candidate and leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), but he is, more importantly, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The constitutional responsibility of his office extends beyond his political party to every Nigerian, including those seeking to defeat him and his party at the polls.
That distinction is fundamental to democratic governance.
The reported security arrangement is particularly significant because it is expected to extend beyond candidates of the ruling party to presidential candidates and their running mates across the political divide, as well as governorship candidates and their deputies.
Candidates for the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly operating in areas considered vulnerable to electoral violence are also expected to receive enhanced security attention.
This is how the institutions of the Nigerian State ought to function.
Security agencies belong to Nigeria, not to any political party. The DSS, Nigeria Police Force, and other security institutions exist to protect the constitutional order, lives and property, and the legitimate democratic rights of citizens irrespective of partisan affiliation.
An opposition candidate is not an enemy of the State. He or she is a Nigerian exercising a constitutional right to seek public office and to present an alternative programme of government to the electorate.
Indeed, the true strength of a democracy is demonstrated not by how those in power treat their supporters, but by how securely the system protects the rights and freedoms of those who oppose them.
President Tinubu, having participated extensively in Nigeria’s democratic struggles and opposition politics before eventually becoming President, should appreciate perhaps better than many the importance of maintaining a political environment in which opposition figures can campaign freely and safely.
Political competition should therefore be a contest of ideas, programmes, records and competing visions for Nigeria; not a contest of intimidation, violence or coercion.
The electorate must ultimately determine who governs them through the ballot box.
This directive also carries an important message at a time when Nigeria approaches another major electoral cycle. Political rhetoric will inevitably intensify. Alliances will be formed and broken. Candidates will traverse the country seeking votes. Supporters will passionately defend their preferred choices.
Yet, beneath these legitimate political differences must remain a common Nigerian citizenship and a shared commitment to peace.
No candidate should be physically endangered merely because he or she seeks to challenge an incumbent. No candidate should be denied legitimate security protection because he or she belongs to the opposition. Equally, no supporter should consider political disagreement a justification for violence.
The President’s reported directive should therefore be understood not simply as the provision of security personnel to political candidates, but as an opportunity to reinforce the principle of institutional neutrality.
That principle must now permeate the entire security architecture as the elections approach.
Security agencies must act professionally and impartially. They must protect campaign venues without discrimination, respond swiftly to credible threats irrespective of the political identity of those threatened, and ensure that lawful political activities are conducted without intimidation.
Political actors themselves must reciprocate by conducting their campaigns responsibly. Candidates and their supporters should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, ethnic or religious incitement, hate speech and actions capable of provoking violence.
Democracy thrives where political opponents recognise that today’s adversary at the polls remains tomorrow’s fellow citizen.
President Tinubu’s directive should equally serve as an example to Governors and other political leaders across the federation.
Those entrusted with public authority must resist the temptation to perceive opposition parties as enemies. Government institutions and public security resources must never become partisan instruments for suppressing legitimate political competition.
The 2027 elections will provide Nigeria another opportunity to demonstrate the continuing maturity of our democracy. That maturity will not be measured merely by the number of political parties or candidates on the ballot.
It will be measured by whether candidates can campaign freely, whether citizens can assemble without fear, whether votes can be cast peacefully, and whether the institutions of State remain impartial throughout the process.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation for recognising this important responsibility and reportedly directing that adequate protective measures be extended across partisan lines.
But commendation must be accompanied by an expectation: the directive should be implemented comprehensively, professionally and without discrimination.
There should be no APC security, ADC security, NDC security or security for any other political tendency. There must simply be Nigerian security institutions protecting Nigerians participating lawfully in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Ultimately, protecting one’s political opponents does not diminish political strength. It demonstrates confidence in democracy.
The most compelling victory is not one achieved because opponents were intimidated or denied a level playing field. It is one achieved after every candidate has been allowed to campaign freely, every voter has been permitted to make an informed choice, and the people have spoken through a credible ballot.
As the nation moves towards 2027, President Tinubu’s reported non-partisan security directive points in the right direction.
Let the candidates be protected. Let the campaigns be peaceful. Let the security agencies remain neutral. Let ideas compete with ideas. And, ultimately, let Nigerians decide.
That is the democracy we must collectively defend.
