The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has commenced a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections to promote voter education, peaceful participation and responsible voting, while discouraging voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, themed “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote Buying and Violence. Let’s Build a United Nigeria in 2027,” the Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the campaign was designed to encourage informed and peaceful participation in the electoral process.
He said the initiative would address challenges discouraging citizens from voting, including mistrust, inadequate information and fear of intimidation.
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“Elections offer citizens the opportunity to choose their representatives and influence the direction of governance. Public participation remained essential to the strength of Nigeria’s democracy. And Confidence grows when institutions listen, communicate clearly and demonstrate consistency in their actions,” he said.
Issa-Onilu warned against voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence threatened democratic participation and peaceful coexistence.
“Voter apathy weakens the breadth of public participation and leaves important decisions to fewer people. Vote buying undermines freedom of choice by exploiting vulnerability. Electoral violence threatens lives, silences citizens and damages relationships that communities will need long after the ballots have been counted,” he stated.
He noted: “No political ambition should cost a Nigerian life. No disagreement should destroy the bonds between neighbours. No temporary inducement should determine a citizen’s choice about our collective future”
The NOA boss said the agency would deploy its state directorates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, using local languages, radio programmes, community dialogues, drama and digital platforms to reach Nigerians at the grassroots.
“The National Orientation Agency will take this campaign to communities across the country, engaging Nigerians in languages they understand to promote voter participation, discourage vote buying and electoral violence, and encourage the responsible sharing of verified information,” he said.
He noted that the campaign would engage market associations, artisans, transport workers, youth organisations, women’s groups, traditional and religious leaders to promote inclusive voter education and peaceful political participation.
Issa-Onilu also urged citizens to verify electoral information before sharing it, adding that community concerns requiring official clarification would be referred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or relevant security agencies.
He stressed that the campaign would remain non-partisan and called on political parties and candidates to promote issue-based campaigns and discourage violence.
“Political parties and candidates should promote issue-based campaigns, discourage vote buying and ensure that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process. The language and behaviour of political leaders influence the conduct of those who follow them,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to prioritise national peace and unity despite political differences, expressing optimism that collaboration among stakeholders would strengthen public understanding ahead of the elections.
Also speaking, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the commission was strengthening its operational, technological and administrative capacity to deliver a credible and inclusive 2027 general election.
“INEC is committed to conducting a free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible 2027 General Election. Achieving this requires early preparation, strong collaboration among stakeholders and the active participation of Nigerians,” he said.
Amupitan said that the commission had digitised its candidate nomination process to improve compliance with electoral laws and reduce discrepancies between candidates emerging from party primaries and those submitted by political parties.
He urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) early.
“We appeal to all of them to please go and collect their PVC. We don’t just register and leave the PVC with us,” he said.
The INEC chairman also warned political actors against violence, hate speech and the circulation of fabricated images and videos capable of misleading the public or escalating tensions.
“No political ambition justifies the shedding of blood of one or destruction of property,” he stated.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Y.D. Ahmed, pledged the scheme’s continued support for the NOA campaign.
He said corps members were already engaging the public through voter education groups to promote participation and discourage vote buying and selling.
“The National Youth Service Corps will continue to support the National Orientation Agency to ensure we have a peaceful and all-inclusive election. Corps members would continue to contribute to electoral administration by serving as ad hoc personnel and supporting public education initiatives,” he said.
Ahmed urged young Nigerians and youth organisations to take greater responsibility for grassroots mobilisation.
The campaign is expected to focus on inclusive voter education, the dissemination of verified electoral information and the promotion of peaceful conduct throughout the 2027 electoral process.
