A security expert and international election observer, Faisal Sanusi Ibrahim has commended the security agencies for maintaining peace during the ongoing Osun State governorship election.
Speaking to Adamimogo FM Nigeria, Faisal said the heavy deployment of security personnel across the state had contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of the election, describing the security arrangement as a demonstration of proactive policing.
According to him, voters in several local government areas visited by his team reported a calm atmosphere, with no major incidents recorded as voting progressed.
He said the presence of heavily armed and well-trained security personnel had reassured voters and helped prevent potential disruptions at polling locations.
Faisal urged security agencies to replicate the Osun model during the 2027 general elections, arguing that a similar level of preparedness across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory could significantly improve the security of the electoral process.
“The lesson I have taken from this election is that security agencies should repeat what they have done in Osun State across the 36 states of the federation in the coming election.”
He also praised the level of coordination among the various security agencies deployed for the election, describing the harmony among them as remarkable.
Faisal said unlike some previous elections where security agencies have occasionally been involved in disagreements or operational challenges, the Osun election had so far demonstrated greater cooperation among the agencies.
He, however, acknowledged that Nigeria’s approach to election security differs from what obtains in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States and Germany, stressing that the differences in population, security challenges and political environments must be considered.
According to him, Nigeria should gradually move towards deploying more technology and fewer personnel in election security as the country’s democratic and technological systems develop.
He said the long-term objective should be to create an electoral environment where voters can exercise their franchise more freely without requiring an overwhelming physical security presence.
Faisal expressed optimism that the election would remain free, fair and credible through the conclusion of voting, collation and declaration of results.
He also urged the security agencies to maintain the current level of vigilance until the entire electoral process is concluded.
The security expert said the peaceful conduct of the Osun election, if sustained through the final stages, could provide valuable lessons for strengthening election security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
