Nigeria has launched a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign aimed at encouraging citizens to participate in the 2027 general election and discouraging practices that threaten the credibility and peaceful conduct of the polls.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Abuja, during the flag-off of the National Orientation Agency’s (NOA) voter education initiative.
The campaign, themed “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote Buying and Violence. Let’s Build a United Nigeria in 2027,” seeks to mobilise eligible voters across the country to make informed choices and protect the democratic process.
Government Urges Nigerians to Take Responsibility for the 2027 Elections
Idris stressed that citizens have a shared responsibility to shape Nigeria’s future through peaceful and meaningful participation in elections.
He warned that staying away from polling stations, selling votes or engaging in electoral violence could weaken democratic institutions and undermine the interests of the electorate.
“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,” the minister said.
He added that when eligible voters abstain from voting, accept money in exchange for their ballots or resort to violence, the entire democratic process suffers.
The minister called on Nigerians to view voting as an important civic responsibility and to respect the choices of fellow citizens during the electoral process.
Tinubu Government Points to Electoral Reforms
Idris said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remained committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.
He cited the president’s signing of the Electoral Act 2026 into law, describing the legislation as introducing reforms intended to improve transparency, accountability and public confidence in elections.
The minister also commended NOA Director-General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu and agency staff for launching the mobilisation campaign.
He emphasised that the initiative would require sustained cooperation among government institutions, electoral authorities, security agencies, traditional and community leaders, and the public to achieve its objectives.
NOA to Take Voter Education to Communities Across Nigeria
Issa-Onilu said the National Orientation Agency would use its network of state directorates across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take the campaign directly to communities.
The agency plans to use local languages and a combination of communication channels, including radio programmes, community discussions, drama and digital platforms, to reach people with different backgrounds and levels of access to information.
The approach is intended to make voter education more accessible while addressing the reasons some eligible Nigerians stay away from elections.
“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,” Issa-Onilu said.
The agency also aims to encourage citizens to check information before sharing it, particularly as election-related discussions intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
INEC Promises Inclusive and Credible 2027 General Election
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, said the commission was committed to organising a free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible general election in 2027.
He noted that delivering an election that meets those standards would require early preparation, cooperation among stakeholders and active participation by Nigerians.
“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,” Amupitan said.
His remarks highlighted the importance of coordination between the electoral commission, public institutions, communities and voters as preparations for the election continue.
Campaign Targets Electoral Violence and Vote Buying
Beyond increasing voter turnout, the mobilisation programme seeks to discourage conduct that could threaten lives, national unity and democratic stability.
Vote buying, voter apathy and electoral violence are among the central concerns identified by the campaign. Its organisers are urging Nigerians to participate responsibly, respect differing political choices and avoid actions that could undermine peaceful elections.
Through its nationwide outreach, NOA intends to engage citizens in ways that reflect local languages and community experiences, rather than relying solely on national-level announcements.
The campaign’s broader objective is to encourage a more informed electorate and promote peaceful participation as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general election.
