NOA Intensifies Grassroots Campaign Against Vote Buying, Electoral Violence Ahead of 2027 Elections

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a grassroots mobilisation campaign across Gombe State as part of efforts to tackle voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The initiative, which seeks to encourage responsible citizenship and strengthen democratic participation, was officially inaugurated on Thursday at the palace of the Lamido of Akko, Alhaji Muhammad Umar-Atiku.

The campaign is being implemented under the theme, “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote Buying and Violence – Let’s Build a United Nigeria in 2027.”

Speaking at the inauguration, the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by the Director of Community Outreach and Development at the agency’s national headquarters, Adaline Patari, described the initiative as a strategic effort to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy through sustained public enlightenment and community engagement.

Issa-Onilu identified voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence as major challenges threatening the credibility of elections in the country.

He explained that declining voter participation weakens democratic representation, while financial inducements undermine the freedom of citizens to make independent electoral choices.

He also warned that political violence could threaten lives, destroy property and destabilise communities.

According to him, the campaign is designed to remind Nigerians that elections should be conducted peacefully and that citizens must be allowed to exercise their voting rights without intimidation or manipulation.

He stated, “No political ambition should cost any Nigerian a life, no temporary financial inducement should determine our collective future, and no political disagreement should undermine the peace, unity and security of our communities.”

The NOA Director-General disclosed that the agency would utilise its state directorates and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers nationwide to take voter education directly to the grassroots.

He explained that the sensitisation programme would cover markets, motor parks, schools, religious centres and other public gathering places to ensure that the message reaches Nigerians across different communities.

He added that the campaign would adopt several communication strategies, including town hall meetings, community dialogues, radio programmes, advocacy visits, local-language sensitisation, drama presentations and digital media platforms.

The agency also plans to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political parties, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities and the media.

Issa-Onilu emphasised that the initiative was strictly non-partisan and was not designed to favour any political party or candidate.

He maintained that its primary objective was to promote civic responsibility, national unity, peaceful political participation and respect for democratic values, irrespective of citizens’ political, religious or ethnic backgrounds.

In her remarks, the Gombe State Director of NOA, Maimuna Abubakar, assured residents that the agency would extend the campaign to communities across the state through coordinated public enlightenment programmes and sustained stakeholder engagement.

Abubakar disclosed that Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers would be deployed across all 11 local government areas of Gombe State to ensure that the sensitisation exercise achieved widespread coverage.

She explained that the agency would collaborate with traditional institutions, religious leaders, community-based organisations, market associations, artisans, youth and women groups, security agencies and media organisations to promote peaceful and credible elections.

The state director also highlighted the importance of radio and television stations in communicating the campaign’s message, particularly to residents of rural communities who may have limited access to digital information platforms.

She stressed that sustained public awareness was necessary to discourage electoral misconduct and encourage citizens to participate actively and responsibly in the democratic process.

The Lamido of Akko, Alhaji Muhammad Umar-Atiku, commended the National Orientation Agency for taking the campaign to the grassroots and described the initiative as timely, particularly as preparations gradually intensify towards the 2027 general elections.

The traditional ruler urged residents to reject vote buying, political intimidation and other forms of electoral malpractice, stressing the need for peaceful participation and responsible citizenship.

He also called on traditional institutions to play more active roles in promoting credible elections, maintaining community harmony and educating residents on the importance of protecting their voting rights.

The inauguration attracted representatives of government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious organisations, civil society groups, youth and women associations, among other stakeholders.

The NOA campaign is expected to continue across communities in Gombe State as the agency intensifies efforts to promote voter awareness, discourage electoral malpractice and encourage peaceful participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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