Great Imo Jonathan
I want to use this opportunity to appreciate Nigerian military and other security agencies for the role they played in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Osun State. The many arrests they made of violent thugs in the state days leading to the election made it possible to an extent for us to have less casualties and for the people’s mandate to count.
Again in the 2023 general election, I took note of the fact that nobody rigged elections in pooling units around military formations and communities. The results I saw on IREV reflected votes cast and what various political parties had in their results sheets.
Meaning that political parties and thugs were afraid of rigging elections around military formations and communities.
That is very commendable. But now this is a call to you to rise to the occasion in 2027. I call on our military and other security agencies to scale up what they did around military formations in 2023 nationwide, to protect our democracy in 2027. Since it is now obvious that our politicians are incapable of acting as rational human beings.
Dear military men and women, and other security agencies this is important because you are now the only institutions that can help our democracy since civil institutions have failed.
You must understand that the true strength of any nation lies not just in its economy, but in the integrity of its institutions. A responsible military, police, and security agencies play a vital role in building that strength. By upholding democracy, by protecting the citizen’s right to choose their leaders, and by resisting any attempt by unscrupulous politicians to manipulate elections, our security agencies lay the foundation for peace and progress.
The military and security agencies can do this and no politician can dare go against them. Politicians in Nigeria no longer respect their citizens but they can’t not order a respected military and other security agencies to engage in dirty political jobs. They and their thugs don’t have the courage to dare if the military officers and other security agencies stand their ground. And that is how we will begin our journey into a prosperous future for all.
When the military and other security agencies support democratic institutions and stand with citizens against rigging and manipulation, they ensure orderly development. And in that stability, our country grows and our security agencies, our businesses, and our people all benefit together.
So In 2027, Nigeria will stand at another crossroad. The men and women in uniform will once again be called to play their constitutional role: to protect the lives, property, and democratic rights of every Nigerian.
There are already whispers and pressures. “Be used.” “Stand down here.” “Look away there.
To every officer, soldier, policeman, civil defense, and security operative reading this: this is a direct appeal to your conscience, your oath, and your children’s future.
Your oath is to Nigeria, not to any individual. You swore to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not a party, not a person and not an interest.
When elections are manipulated, when the will of the people is subverted, it is the Constitution that is broken. And when the Constitution breaks, insecurity follows. No nation survives when citizens lose faith that their vote counts.
Allowing yourselves to be used against any candidate, means you will be used against 230 million plus Nigerians whose mandate you are meant to protect.
But you must understand that a Presidency that comes through the will of the people directly benefits you and your children. This is not about politics. This is about your welfare and what matters to you at home.
A President who comes through the mandate of the people will build a productive economy. That means more revenue. More revenue means proper budgeting for arms, training, insurance, housing, and pensions for officers instead of rouge politicians living in stupendous wealth while we all suffer. No more waiting months for allowances. No more buying your own boots.
A government elected by the people will focus on competence over patronage, promotions, postings, and procurement in the security sector will be based on merit. That protects career officers from being sacrificed for political errands.
A people’s government will focus on jobs, education, and pulling people out of poverty. Poverty is the root causes of banditry, kidnapping, and agitation. When young people have work, the burden on police and soldiers reduces. Your children will grow up in a country with less risk.
A government that prioritizes rule of law will also prioritize the rule of law for you. It means better medical care for injured officers, support for widows, and an end to using security agencies as political tools and then abandoning them.
Also don’t forget that being used has consequences that outlive one election. History is clear about that. Officers who allow themselves to be used to suppress votes in 2023, 2019, 2007, etc., are later blamed when the system collapses.
If 2027 is rigged and Nigeria descends into deeper crisis, who will be sent to manage the fallout? You. With inadequate equipment, poor pay, and public distrust.
But if 2027 is free and fair, and the people’s choice stands, you go back to barracks with honour. You become the institution that saved democracy. You become true heroes of Nigeria.
So stand with the people, stand with the future. Stand with millions of Nigerians who demand for accountability, prudent management of resources, and a Nigeria where a child of a policeman and a child of a minister can attend the same quality school and hospital.
That Nigeria benefits you too. Your children will not have to “japa” because there are no jobs. Your pension will not be eroded by inflation. Your community will not be overrun because youth have alternatives to crime.
By ensuring a free, fair election in 2027, you are not just doing the people a favour. You are doing Nigeria a favour. You are doing your unborn grandchildren a favour.
So choose legacy over orders. To every DPO, every CO, every rank and file: in that moment in 2027 when you are given an unlawful order, remember this.
You can explain to your child in 10 years that you protected their vote. Or you can explain why you looked away.
The barracks, the police station, and the checkpoint are not just posts. They are the frontline of Nigeria’s democracy.
Stand down from politics. Stand up for the people. Stand up for the Constitution.
That is how we get a Nigeria that works for officers, for supporters of politicians and for every Nigerian.
Because in the end, we all wear the same green-white-green.
Nigerians share and forward to security officers in your circle. We all deserve a better Nigeria and we all should work for a better Nigeria.
Great Imo Jonathan
