The Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, founded by former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, has inaugurated a reconstituted Council of the Wise, chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (retd.), to help prevent electoral violence and promote free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The inauguration was announced on Tuesday in Abuja by Gambari, who is also the chairman of the centre.
He charged the council to engage key stakeholders and foster a peaceful political atmosphere that reflects the will of Nigerians.
He said the Ariwoola-led Concil of the Wise will hold consultations with major national stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, President Bola Tinubu, opposition presidential candidates such as Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement, alongside security agencies, religious leaders, and traditional rulers, in a bid to ensure a peaceful and credible 2027 general election.
Established in 1993 by Prof Gambari, the SCDDD is a leading non-governmental organisation focused on research, advocacy, and policy engagement in the areas of democracy, conflict resolution, and sustainable development across Nigeria and Africa.
The centre advances inclusive governance and human security by shaping public policy through evidence-based research, dialogue, and practical, context-driven solutions.
The council comprises respected Nigerians drawn from the six geopolitical zones to engage key stakeholders and promote national unity and democratic governance.
The first council was chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the late Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, while the second was led by former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (retd).
Members of the Council of the Wise include former University of Ilorin Vice Chancellor, Prof Shuaibu Oba Abdulraheem; veteran actress and producer, Mrs Joke Silva; former ambassador and PANDEF National Chairman, Amb Dr Godknows Igali; renowned human rights advocate, Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo; former GIABA Director-General and diplomat, Prof Abdullahi Shehu Yibaikwal; media and public policy expert, Tunji Lardner; retired career ambassador and migration specialist, Amb Abdulaziz Dankano.
Others include the peace advocate and founder of the Kalthum Foundation for Peace, Amb Ummu Kalthum Muhammad; National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Malam Abdullahi Aliyu Usman; and the Executive Director of the Savannah Centre, Amb Sani Saulawa Bala.
Prof Gambari said Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 has been marred by electoral malpractices, including thuggery, hate speech, vote-buying, ballot-box stuffing and candidate imposition, which have continued to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.