- warns against vote-buying, electoral violence, disinformation
By John Dike
Determined to check voter apathy, discourage vote-buying and electoral violence, and promote peaceful participation in the 2027 general elections, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign against these.
Themed “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote Buying and Violence. Let’s Build a United Nigeria in 2027,” the campaign was launched at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the initiative was strictly non-partisan and aimed at encouraging Nigerians to participate actively and peacefully in the electoral process.
Issa-Onilu identified voter apathy, vote-buying and electoral violence as major threats to credible elections, urging Nigerians to make informed electoral choices and reject practices capable of undermining democracy.
He stressed that political differences should not create hostility among citizens, noting that no election was worth the loss of a single Nigerian life.
The NOA director-general said the agency would deploy its structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers in the 774 local government areas, to intensify voter education and grassroots sensitisation.
He explained that the nationwide campaign would focus on responsible voting, peaceful political engagement and the need for citizens to exercise their electoral rights without fear or inducement.
In his address, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, commended the NOA for initiating the mobilisation campaign, describing grassroots sensitisation as crucial to improving voter participation and promoting peaceful elections.
Idris also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the NOA and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring that Nigerians receive adequate voter education ahead of the polls.
He warned that disinformation and fake news could discourage citizens from participating in elections and potentially trigger violence.
The minister urged Nigerians and media organisations to verify information before sharing it, stressing that access to credible information was essential to conducting peaceful and credible elections.
INEC outlines preparations
Speaking on the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, highlighted several technological and administrative measures being introduced to improve electoral participation and strengthen the electoral process.
He listed a self-service electronic voter registration system, access to the voter register, downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and plans for centralised vote collation among the measures being pursued by the commission.
Amupitan also disclosed that the production of election materials was ongoing under strict scrutiny, while additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines had been secured for the elections.
He emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among electoral stakeholders, commending the NOA for its grassroots mobilisation initiative.
According to him, continuous public enlightenment and access to reliable information would help reduce voter apathy, discourage vote-buying and prevent electoral violence.
Stakeholders pledge support
Goodwill messages were delivered by the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Prince Chinedu Obi; the Senior Governance Adviser of the International Republican Institute (IRI) in West Africa, Sunday Alao; and a representative of the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu.
A representative of the publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, also delivered an address titled “Tackling Electoral Disinformation,” highlighting the importance of addressing false information in the electoral process.
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The event featured dance and drama performances designed to demonstrate the importance of voter education and draw attention to the dangers of voter apathy.
Participants also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peaceful, inclusive and responsible participation in the 2027 general elections.
In his closing remarks, the NOA Director of Special Duties and Zonal Operations, Mr David Akoji, thanked dignitaries and stakeholders for their participation and support.
He urged them to sustain their commitment to grassroots mobilisation and public enlightenment to ensure that Nigerians participate peacefully and responsibly in the forthcoming elections.
The event attracted traditional rulers from Karu and Garki, representatives of political parties, labour unions, civil society organisations, Islamic and Christian clerics, as well as officials from various government institutions and security agencies.
Institutions represented included the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Representatives of the NYSC, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, and the Director-Generals of the National Population Commission (NPC), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), among others, also attended the event.
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