By NEWSCOUNT Desk
The National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) and Vision One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI) have scheduled a national summit for November 18, 2026, in Abuja, to mobilise youths and other stakeholders against election violence and the destruction of critical infrastructure during and after the 2027 general elections.
The president of both organisations, Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny, disclosed this during a working visit to the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Capital Territory Command, Mr. U.S. Dauda, in Abuja.
Johnny said the visit was also to brief Dauda on the outcome of the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026 and appreciate the DSS command for its role in maintaining peace in the FCT.
He commended the command for its professionalism and cooperation with other security agencies, which he said had helped keep the capital peaceful and conducive to business activities. He also thanked Dauda for his leadership in maintaining public confidence in the security system.
Unveiling the planned summit, Johnny gave its full title as the 2026 Edition of the Youth, Civil Society and Stakeholders Summit Against Violence, Destruction and Vandalization of Critical National Infrastructure and Assets During and Beyond the 2027 General Elections.
He said the meeting would focus on preventing the destruction of electricity facilities, oil and gas pipelines, airports, railway lines, forests, roads, telecommunications installations and other critical national assets.
Johnny, who has advocated the protection of public infrastructure, said communities must take responsibility for government facilities located within their areas rather than watch while they are destroyed.
He warned that communities that failed to act when public infrastructure was being vandalised should also be held accountable.
“Elections must be peaceful and free from violence. No nation can develop when its critical infrastructure is destroyed under the guise of politics and elections,” he said.
Johnny explained that the summit would bring together youths, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss ways of preventing violence and protecting public assets during the election period and beyond.
He sought the DSS command’s partnership and support for the event, stressing the need for security agencies and civil society groups to work together to prevent attacks on infrastructure and election-related violence.
Responding, Dauda thanked the NACCSO leadership for the visit and acknowledged its advocacy for peace and national development.
He assured Johnny and his delegation that the command was ready to collaborate with the organisations to ensure the successful hosting of the summit. He also pledged the DSS’s support for efforts to maintain peace in the FCT before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
