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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Thursday, called on Nigerians to reject voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence, saying that every eligible citizen has a responsibility to protect democracy and help shape the country’s future through peaceful participation in the 2027 general election.
Idris made the call in Abuja at the flag-off of the National Orientation Agency’s (NOA) nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign for the 2027 general election.
Blueprint reports that the theme of the campaign was, ‘Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote Buying and Violence. Let’s Build a United Nigeria in 2027.’
“An election is more than a day at the polling unit. It is an opportunity for citizens to decide who represents them and to influence the direction of their communities and country.
“When eligible voters stay away, sell their votes or resort to violence, the entire democratic process suffers,” he said.
He added that the federal government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
“President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law, introducing important reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process,” Idris said.
The minister commended NOA director-general, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu and the agency’s staff for the initiative, urging them to sustain public engagement nationwide.
He said the campaign’s success would depend on cooperation among government institutions, electoral authorities, security agencies, community leaders, and citizens.
Mallam Issa-Onilu, said the agency would deploy its state directorates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said the campaign would use local languages, radio programmes, community dialogues, drama and digital platforms to address voter apathy and discourage vote buying and violence.
“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.
“Mobilisation begins immediately, and our engagement will continue into the election period. The work will move from this hall into markets, neighbourhoods, community meeting places and other spaces where Nigerians exchange information and form opinions,” he said.
He noted that through community dialogues, its officers will engage market associations, artisans, transport workers, youth organisations, women’s groups and other community networks, adding that the conversations will provide opportunities to ask questions, address misconceptions and discuss the practical consequences of apathy, vote buying and violence.
“Let me emphasise that this campaign is strictly non-partisan. NOA serves the Nigerian people. Our personnel, platforms and messages must reflect fairness towards every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or social standing.
“There is a familiar proverb:
“NOA will lead this mobilisation, but its reach and effectiveness will depend on the partnerships we build and sustain,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, said the Commission was committed to delivering a credible and inclusive 2027 general election, while urging Nigerians to work with electoral stakeholders to ensure peaceful participation.
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