The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume,  has underscored the need for improved security coordination and early preparation to ensure credible and peaceful 2027 general elections.

Akume made this known on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Federal and State Security Administrators Meeting, in Umuahia.

The SGF, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mr Mohammed Danjuma, said that preparations for the  elections required robust security arrangements.

He said  the strategic move had become necessary as political activities such as voter registration, party primaries and campaigns were expected to commence soon.

Akume recalled that the Federal Government established the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in 2015 to ensure peaceful, free and credible elections.

He added that the committee was chaired at the federal level by the National Security Adviser, with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as co-chair.

He said that similar structures existed at the state level, chaired by the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police.

The SGF stressed the need for synergy among security agencies, INEC, political actors and other stakeholders.

Akume called for early coordination, effective intelligence gathering and strict enforcement of electoral laws to curb activities of political thugs and hoodlums.

He also warned against the dissemination of false narratives capable of fuelling panic, ethnic and religious tension, and undermining trust in public institutions.

Akume urged the National Orientation Agency and relevant bodies to strengthen strategic communication to counter misinformation.

He further appealed to citizens and communities to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information to support ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry and other crimes.

He said security should be viewed as a collective responsibility involving government, institutions and individuals.

He described hosting of the meeting in the South-East as a reflection of the improved security situation in the zone, noting that the region was gradually regaining its position as a hub for entrepreneurship, commerce and trade.

He commended the Federal Government, security agencies and Abia government for their collaborative efforts in restoring peace and stability in the region.

In his speech, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, said that security remained the foundation for meaningful development, noting that infrastructure development, investment and job creation depended on a stable and predictable environment.

He described the conference as a strategic convergence aimed at deepening coordination, intelligence sharing and institutional synergy between federal and state authorities.

The governor advocated for what he termed “operational federalism”, where federal security structures and state administrative responsibilities worked in deliberate alignment.

He called for strengthened joint planning frameworks, rapid response mechanisms and structured communication channels among agencies, stressing that coordination must be intentionally designed and continuously improved.

Otti said that modern security challenges required predictive systems, early warning structures and community-based intelligence, adding that traditional institutions and grassroots leaders played critical roles in fostering trust.

He also emphasised the need to leverage technology, data integration and measurable performance indicators in security administration.

The governor said the protection of strategic infrastructure, including airports, industrial parks, markets and educational institutions, remained a national imperative.

On the 2027 general elections, Otti stressed that credible polls required early planning and adequate security arrangements.

He said INEC should be centrally involved in security discussions to guarantee free, fair and peaceful elections.

Otti urged participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference produced practical, measurable outcomes capable of enhancing national stability.

He declared the conference open and reaffirmed Abia’s commitment to collaborative security governance.

Also, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,  appreciated the organisers of the Federal and State Security Administrators’ Meeting and commended the host governor for his leadership in strengthening security governance.

Ribadu, represented by  his Special Adviser on Governance and Sub-national Liaison, Mr Asishana Okauru, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to closer collaboration with states to enhance national security architecture.

He stressed that effective security required coordination, trust, and structured engagement across all levels of government.

The NSA highlighted ongoing efforts to improve interagency cooperation through the monthly Joint Intelligence Board meetings and the recently established Forum of National and Sub-National Security Officials (FONSU).

Ribadu said that through FONSU, all 36 states and the FCT have nominated senior security focal persons to promote intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and best practices nationwide.

He noted that recent FONSU meetings have strengthened communication and improved response coordination, while supporting alignment with the Federal and State Security Administrators’ forum.

Ribadu emphasised that security goes beyond the absence of conflict and depended largely on good governance, strong institutions, rule of law, and access to essential services.

He commended initiatives that promoted inclusive governance and social protection, describing them as key pillars of long-term stability.

Ribadu urged participants to share insights and best practices, assuring the forum of continued support in strengthening federal-state collaboration and proactive security governance.

In an interview with newsmen, the Co-Chair of the FSSAM and  Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Borno State, Prof. Usman Tar, said  the platform was designed to review Nigeria’s security situation and enhance inter-agency collaboration.

Tar said  the meeting, established in the 1990s, brought together representatives of security agencies, the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to assess threats to national security and territorial integrity.

He said  the forum, held at least twice yearly in different states, enabled stakeholders to analyse emerging threats, share updates and agree on priority areas for collective action.

He said the states present situation reports, while federal security institutions provided operational briefings to support coordinated responses.

Tar said  the key outcome of the meeting was strengthened synergy among stakeholders and reduction of duplication of functions to ensure more efficient use of resources.