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By Gabriel Ameh
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign to encourage Nigerians to participate in the 2027 general election, reject vote-buying and voter apathy, and promote peaceful electoral conduct.
The campaign, themed “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote-Buying and Violence,” aims to strengthen civic awareness, improve access to reliable electoral information and encourage responsible participation across the country.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, announced the initiative during its flag-off ceremony in Abuja, calling on government institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and community leaders to support the mobilisation effort.
Onilu said the campaign was designed to help Nigerians understand their role in protecting democracy and recognise how their actions before, during and after elections affect their communities and the country’s future.
He stressed that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to choose their representatives and influence the direction of government, adding that the importance of democratic participation extends beyond election day.
NOA Targets Communities Across 774 LGAs
The NOA director-general said the agency would deploy its state directorates across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers working across the country’s 774 local government areas.
He explained that the mobilisation would extend to markets, neighbourhoods, community meeting places and other public spaces where citizens could receive information, ask questions and discuss issues affecting electoral participation.
According to Onilu, the agency would engage market associations, transport workers, youth organisations, women’s groups and other community networks to promote informed electoral choices and peaceful participation.
He said the grassroots approach would allow the agency to communicate directly with citizens, understand their concerns and deliver messages in formats and languages that reflect local realities.
The campaign will also use radio discussions, community dialogues, drama, short audio messages and digital platforms to make voter education more accessible.
Onilu noted that voter apathy reduces public participation in democratic decisions, while vote-buying undermines voters’ freedom to make independent choices.
He also warned that electoral violence threatens lives, silences citizens and damages relationships within communities.
“No political ambition should cause a Nigerian to lose their life,” he said in his address, emphasising the need to prevent political disagreements from turning into violence.
He urged Nigerians not to allow temporary financial inducements to determine decisions that could shape the country’s future.
Agency Moves Against Fake News and Electoral Misinformation
The NOA director-general identified misinformation and the rapid spread of unverified information as major concerns ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said false messages could create fear, damage reputations and inflame tensions, particularly when citizens share information without establishing its authenticity.
Onilu urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing it and consider the possible consequences of circulating unconfirmed claims.
He also called on media professionals to support the campaign by promoting accurate reporting, responsible information sharing and public understanding of electoral procedures.
The agency, he explained, would use feedback from its grassroots officers to identify recurring questions, misconceptions and concerns among citizens.
Issues requiring official clarification would be referred to the appropriate institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies.
Onilu said the agency would continue public enlightenment throughout the election period, while encouraging citizens to rely on official channels for verified electoral announcements and procedures.
NOA Promises Non-Partisan Voter Education
The director-general emphasised that the campaign would remain strictly non-partisan and serve Nigerians regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or social standing.
He said the agency’s personnel, communication platforms and public messages must reflect fairness and respect for every citizen.
Onilu called on INEC to sustain technical collaboration with the NOA by providing timely access to verified voter education information and strengthening coordination at national and state levels.
He also urged security agencies to support peaceful participation through constructive community engagement, timely communication and cooperation that strengthens public confidence.
Development partners were encouraged to support inclusive voter education, particularly in communities where access to reliable information may be limited.
The NOA chief further appealed to political parties and candidates to promote issue-based campaigns and discourage supporters from using inflammatory language or engaging in conduct capable of provoking violence.
He urged traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace and protect relationships within their communities.
Civil society organisations and the media were also encouraged to expand access to reliable information and help citizens engage constructively in the electoral process.
Youths, Women and Persons with Disabilities to Be Included
Onilu said the campaign would give deliberate attention to young people, women and persons with disabilities, recognising the need to address barriers that may prevent them from participating fully in democratic processes.
He said the agency would listen to their concerns and adapt its communication strategies to make civic education more accessible.
The NOA director-general stressed that young people should be recognised as active contributors to democratic development, while women’s participation should be encouraged and respected.
He also acknowledged INEC’s efforts towards inclusion and called for continued cooperation to ensure that electoral information reaches different groups of Nigerians.
Onilu charged NOA’s state directors and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers to approach the assignment with professionalism, discipline and respect for citizens.
He said the campaign’s success would be measured by the communities reached, questions answered, misconceptions corrected and the number of citizens better equipped to participate in the electoral process.
The director-general also commended INEC’s stakeholder engagement efforts, describing sustained communication between the electoral body and stakeholders as an important confidence-building measure.
He expressed optimism that continued collaboration among electoral authorities, government institutions, community leaders and civil society would help promote peaceful participation and strengthen public confidence ahead of the 2027 general election.
SOURCE CREDIT:
National Orientation Agency (NOA) — Remarks by Director-General Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu at the flag-off of the National Grassroots Mobilisation Campaign for the 2027 General Election.
