FRI NOV 13 2026-theGBJournal| As Nigeria inches towards the 2027 general elections, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) is bringing together political leaders, security experts and regional stakeholders to address growing concerns over democratic trust, political tensions and the risks of electoral violence.
The Foundation’s 2026 Peace and Security Conference, scheduled for November 17 at the National Defence College in Abuja, will focus on strengthening social cohesion and safeguarding public confidence in democratic institutions as political competition intensifies ahead of the elections.
Former President and Foundation founder, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; former Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; and former President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, are among prominent statesmen and national leaders expected at the conference.
Touray will deliver the keynote address at the gathering, themed “Safeguarding Trust and Strengthening Social Cohesion in Competitive Political Environment.”
The conference comes against the backdrop of mounting concerns about the capacity of democratic institutions to withstand political pressures, sustain public confidence and manage electoral competition without violence or instability.
It will provide a platform for political leaders, policymakers, diplomats, security experts and civil society representatives to examine practical approaches to conflict prevention, peaceful political engagement, institutional accountability and national cohesion.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Ann Iyonu, said peace was fundamental to democratic survival, national development and sustainable economic growth, stressing that Nigeria’s stability also carried significant implications for the wider West African region.
She said Nigeria needed sustained peace to strengthen its democratic institutions, consolidate governance and create an enabling environment for economic growth, particularly as the country approaches another critical electoral cycle.
According to Iyonu, political tensions, electoral violence and declining public confidence in democratic institutions could extend beyond Nigeria’s borders, deepening insecurity, disrupting economic activities and weakening democratic governance across the ECOWAS subregion.
She noted that Nigeria’s strategic political, economic and security position made its commitment to credible elections, peaceful political engagement and respect for democratic institutions particularly important to regional stability.
Iyonu said the conference would offer regional leaders and other stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on shared democratic and security challenges, exchange experiences and develop collective strategies for preventing electoral violence and addressing political instability.
She emphasised that mutual trust, accountability, inclusive governance and respect for democratic processes were essential to preventing conflicts that could undermine national stability and reverse development gains.
Beyond electoral security, the conference will examine the relationship between national security and social cohesion, particularly how unmanaged political tensions can threaten institutional credibility, public confidence, economic activities and national stability.
Discussions will also explore the role of security institutions in preserving constitutional order and protecting lives and property, while highlighting the importance of accountability, public trust and constructive engagement with communities.
The Foundation maintains that safeguarding democracy requires more than security preparedness, arguing that early conflict prevention, responsible political conduct, institutional transparency and sustained dialogue among competing interests are equally important in preventing political disputes from escalating into violence.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the conference is expected to contribute to broader national reflection on how to ensure that electoral competition strengthens democratic governance, rather than deepening divisions or threatening national stability.
The 2026 gathering builds on the Foundation’s previous peace conferences held in 2019 and 2022 and forms part of its broader commitment to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, democratic accountability and peaceful political transitions across Africa.
The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation promotes democracy, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, good governance and sustainable development across Africa through dialogue, research, advocacy and strategic partnerships.
X-@theGBJournal|email:gbj@govbusinessjournal.com|govandbusinessj@gmail.com
