Cyber attacks greatest threats to Nigeria’s election – Gen. Musa

General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the former Minister of Defence, has warned that cyber attacks pose the greatest threat to Nigeria's election security. He emphasized that security threats have shifted from physical to the digital realm. Speaking at the 8th edition of Blueprint Newspapers Public Lecture/ Impact and Awards, Musa highlighted the transformative impact of digital technologies on the information environment.

While acknowledging the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence for development and innovation, he cautioned about the emergence of new vulnerabilities. Musa stressed that the biggest threat to an election may not be a gunman at a polling station but an anonymous actor operating online, manipulating information, exploiting divisions, and undermining trust in democratic institutions.

He argued that election security now requires a multi-faceted approach, encompassing cyber resilience, strategic communication, and the defense of truth. Musa pointed out that sophisticated technology can now create realistic but entirely fabricated videos, cloned voices, and manipulated images that can mislead millions within minutes.

He noted that misinformation campaigns, cyber interference, and malicious digital content have already influenced elections in other parts of the world, and Nigeria is not immune to such threats. Musa highlighted the progress made in protecting Nigeria's democracy since the return to democratic rule in 1999 but stressed that the evolving security challenges require a corresponding evolution in response.

He emphasized that preparing for the 2027 general elections should be a national project aimed at enhancing democratic resilience, strengthening institutions, bolstering citizens' ability to discern truth from falsehood, and ensuring free and safe participation for all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation. For his part, the APC's National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, echoed Musa's concerns, calling for early and comprehensive preparations to safeguard the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

He urged authorities to assess threats not just in isolation but in the context of broader security issues like banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, communal conflicts, disinformation, cyber attacks, vote-buying, and the recruitment of young people for political violence. Yilwatda stressed that preparation for the 2027 elections should begin well before campaigns intensify, emphasizing the importance of intelligence gathering, conflict mapping, effective policing, secure borders, responsible political speech, trusted institutions, transparent electoral technologies, and rigorous prosecution of offenders.