By BONIFACE AKARAH

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that Nigeria’s 2027 general election must be seen as more than a contest for political power, arguing that the economy, security and the country’s long-term future should dominate the national conversation.

Mohammed spoke on Thursday as Chairman of the 7th Freedom Online Yearly Lecture at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, where he urged political leaders, citizens and the media to focus on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic foundations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on the theme, “2027 Elections: Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future,” the former minister said security remained a necessary condition for economic growth, while economic inclusion was important to political stability.

“Security is the precondition for economic growth. No business thrives in an atmosphere of uncertainty, and no foreign or local investor deploys capital where safety cannot be guaranteed,” Mohammed said.

He added that economic inclusion could help reduce the vulnerability of young people to political manipulation and electoral violence.

“In turn, political stability depends on economic inclusion. When young people are gainfully employed and see a clear path to self-actualisation, the political space becomes far less susceptible to manipulation and electoral violence,” he said.

Mohammed, who chaired the lecture attended by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and senior media and business figures, said the 2027 election should also be approached as an opportunity to strengthen governance and national institutions.

“The 2027 election must be viewed not merely as a contest for power, but as a commitment to continuity and nation-building. Politics must never be allowed to override governance,” he said.

According to him, the true test of democratic progress would be whether electoral outcomes strengthen institutions, improve investor confidence and promote peace across communities.

Mohammed acknowledged the difficulties confronting the Federal Government in the areas of economic reform and security, saying such challenges could not be resolved overnight.

“These are not challenges that can be solved overnight. They require consistency, patience, institutional strengthening and, above all, national cooperation,” he said.

He also called for constructive engagement with the administration’s efforts to stabilise the economy, attract investment, improve security and create a sustainable foundation for growth.

However, Mohammed reserved a significant part of his address for the media, warning that the press would have an even greater responsibility as the country approaches another election season.

“Having spent a considerable part of my public life in public communication, I have come to appreciate that the media is not merely an observer of national events. It is an important participant in shaping the national conversation,” he said.

He said the media had the capacity to inform voters, interrogate political claims, expose falsehoods and provide space for competing ideas, but warned that irresponsible reporting could also worsen existing divisions.

“But it also has the power, if irresponsibly deployed, to amplify fear, deepen divisions and turn political disagreements into ethnic, religious or regional conflicts,” Mohammed said.

He therefore urged journalists to strike a balance between scrutiny and responsibility.

“We therefore need a media that is robust without being reckless; critical without being destructive; patriotic without becoming partisan; and free without forgetting the enormous responsibility that comes with freedom,” he said.

Mohammed further warned that media coverage during election campaigns could have consequences beyond politics, affecting public perception, economic confidence and national security.

“Sensationalism, fake news and incendiary rhetoric act as accelerants to instability. Responsible journalism, on the other hand, elevates the discourse from tribal and partisan sentiment to policy, competence and concrete solutions,” he said.

He charged the media to remain focused on truth and responsible reporting as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.

The former minister also commended Freedom Online and its management for sustaining the annual lecture series, describing it as a platform that had continued to promote national reflection and intellectual engagement.

He said the responsibility of shaping Nigeria’s future should not rest on politicians alone, urging citizens and other stakeholders to engage constructively with the issues confronting the country.

“Finally, I invite you all to listen with keen attention, engage constructively and leave this room with a clearer vision of how we can collectively safeguard the future of our nation,” Mohammed said.