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As part of its mandate to strengthen voter education, sensitise Nigerians on voter responsibility and promote active civic participation, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has flagged off a nationwide grassroots voting mobilisation campaign ahead of the 2027 General Elections to encourage citizens to participate actively in the electoral process.
The flag-off ceremony, themed “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote Buying and Violence. Let’s Build a United Nigeria in 2027,” was held at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.
Campaign Non-Partisan, Peaceful Participation Key — Issa-Onilu
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, emphasised that the campaign was strictly non-partisan and focused on encouraging Nigerians to participate peacefully in the 2027 general elections, shun vote buying and violence, and make informed electoral choices.
Issa-Onilu identified voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence as major threats to credible elections, stressing that political differences should not create hostility among Nigerians.
“No election is worth the loss of a single Nigerian life,” the DG said.
He added that the Agency will deploy its structures across the 36 states and the FCT, as well as its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers across the 774 local government areas, to sensitise Nigerians on peaceful and responsible participation in the forthcoming elections.
Minister Commends NOA, Warns Against Disinformation
In his address, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, commended the NOA for its nationwide grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that its collaboration with INEC would strengthen voter education and promote peaceful electoral participation.
The minister also warned that disinformation and fake news could discourage voter participation and trigger violence, urging Nigerians and the media to verify information before sharing it to promote credible elections.
INEC Chairman Highlights Preparations For 2027 Polls
Speaking on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, highlighted the introduction of a self-service electronic voter registration system, the provision of the voter register, access to downloadable Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and plans for centralised vote collation.
He added that production of election materials are ongoing under strict scrutiny and that additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines had been secured.
Amupitan, who emphasised need for collaboration among electoral stakeholders, commended NOA’s grassroots mobilisation initiative, also noting that sustained public enlightenment and access to reliable information are crucial to reducing voter apathy, discouraging vote-buying and electoral violence.
Stakeholders Commit To Peaceful, Inclusive Participation
Goodwill messages were delivered by the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Prince Chinedu Obi; the Senior Governance Adviser of 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.
Meanwhile, a representative of Premium Times Publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, also delivered an address titled “Tackling Electoral Disinformation.”
The event also featured dance and drama performances highlighting importance of voter education and addressing voter apathy, alongside stakeholders’ commitments to promoting peaceful, inclusive and responsible participation in electoral process.
In his closing remarks, the NOA’s Director of Special Duties and Zonal Operations, Mr. David Akoji, thanked all dignitaries and stakeholders for their presence and support, urging them to sustain their commitment to promoting peaceful, inclusive and responsible participation in the 2027 general elections.
The event was attended by dignitaries and representatives of various institutions and sectors, including traditional rulers from Karu and Garki, representatives of political parties, labour unions and CSOs, as well as Islamic and Christian clerics.
Government institutions and security agencies represented included the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Correctional Service and EFCC.
Also in attendance were representatives of NYSC, NURTW, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, and the DGs of NPC, VON and NBC, among others.
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