Ibrahim Gambari, Principal Accountant and Chairman/Chief Executive of JK Randall & Company (Chartered Accountants), Bashorun JK Randall said
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Nigeria's most prominent diplomat, Ibrahim Gambari, has said the country should strengthen democracy and good governance to support weak institutions as part of nation building.
Gambari, who spoke on Thursday during a meeting with a group led by US-based leader of Nigerians in the Diaspora, Pascal Mbavuike, also stressed the need to strengthen national unity and security.
The group led by Paschal Mbawuike is currently in the country on a fact-finding mission to understand current developments in democracy and security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gambari, a retired Nigerian diplomat who recently served as Chief of Staff to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and founder of the Savannah Center for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, also stressed the need for a peaceful Nigeria that benefits all citizens.
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He revealed that the Savannah Centre, established to promote good governance, democracy and peace, has supported governments at all levels through advocacy, training and community development activities.
The Center is also currently working with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to promote peace, security and governance.
Gambari, the first Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on African Affairs, stressed the need to secure Nigeria's north-central region, which he described as “crucial to the stability of Nigeria”.
According to him, “Many people do not appreciate the situation of the North-Central in Nigeria. There is no other place in Nigeria more diverse than the North-Central region.”
“The region, often referred to as the food basket of Nigeria, has in recent times been plagued by insecurity, farmer-farmer conflicts and, most recently, frequent kidnappings of schoolchildren, especially in Niger State.”
Gambari, who again described the North-Central region as “crucial to the stability of Nigeria”, said: “We are the southernmost part of the North and the northernmost part of the South. We are the real Nigeria.
“We understand Nigeria. We are committed to the unity of Nigeria because, God forbid, if the country breaks up we will be left with an identity problem.”
While commending the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu for its ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, Gambari called on politicians to strengthen and stabilize Nigeria's democracy, describing it as the only system of government that creates opportunities for the development of every part of the country.
In his welcome address, Savannah Center Executive Director Saulawa Bala said the organization has been involved in training and efforts to deepen good governance in states and local governments since 2014.
He revealed that the Center played a key role in drawing global attention to the poor economic situation in the Sahel region in 2014, when it highlighted poverty-related challenges and warned about the dangers posed by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region, long before the crisis escalated.
“We are also involved in human capacity building in the states with a special focus on community development and training at the local government level to strengthen good governance at the grassroots level,” he said.
“We believe that people should own their projects from concept to completion and also protect such projects.”
According to him, “The best policy for peace and stability is good governance, accountability and support for the poor.”
Mbavuike thanked his host, describing Gambari as “Nigeria's number one diplomat and the father of the diplomatic community in Nigeria.”
He said, “We have come to seek knowledge from you and to thank you for what you have done for humanity in general.”
He said the diplomatic community will continue to remember and honor Gambari for his work in restoring democracy in many African countries, including Angola, and in helping end the apartheid regime in Southern Africa.
“We assure you that your wisdom and advice will always be relied upon as Nigeria navigates its political landscape, especially as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.”
