The National Orientation Agency has launched its grassroots mobilisation campaign in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging residents to reject voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence.
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,” was flagged off on Tuesday at the palace of the Lamido of Akko, Alhaji Muhammad Umar-Atiku.
Speaking at the event, Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who was represented by the Director of Community Outreach and Development at NOA’s National Headquarters, Adaline Patari, described the initiative as a strategic effort to protect Nigeria’s democratic process through sustained public enlightenment.
Issa-Onilu identified voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence as major threats to credible elections, warning that they undermine citizens’ participation, compromise electoral choices and threaten community peace.
He said, “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 DG explained that the agency would deploy its state directorates and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers across the country to take voter education to markets, motor parks, schools, religious centres and other public places.
According to him, “the campaign will utilise town hall meetings, community dialogues, radio programmes, advocacy visits, local-language communication, drama and digital platforms to promote responsible electoral participation.”
Issa-Onilu called on traditional and religious leaders, political parties, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities and the media to support the initiative.
He stressed that the campaign was non-partisan and aimed at promoting civic responsibility, national unity and peaceful participation in the electoral process, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic affiliations.
In her remarks, the Gombe State Director of NOA, Maimuna Abubakar, said the directorate would extend the campaign to communities across the state through coordinated sensitisation and stakeholder engagement.
Abubakar disclosed that Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers would be deployed across the 11 local government areas of the state to ensure wider coverage and sustained public enlightenment.
She said, “the agency will collaborate with traditional institutions, religious leaders, community-based organisations, market associations, artisans, youth and women groups, security agencies and the media to ensure that residents understood the importance of peaceful and credible elections.”
The state director also highlighted the role of radio and television stations in extending the campaign’s reach, particularly to rural communities.
The Lamido of Akko, Alhaji Muhammad Umar-Atiku, commended the agency for the initiative, urging residents to embrace peaceful political participation and reject electoral malpractice.
The traditional ruler also called for responsible citizenship and greater involvement of traditional institutions in promoting credible elections.
Our correspondent reports that the event attracted representatives of government institutions, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, youth and women groups.