The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched its grassroots mobilisation campaign in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 General Elections, targeting voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence through sustained public enlightenment and community engagement.
The state-level launch follows the national inauguration of the campaign at the NOA National Headquarters in Abuja.
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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 strengthen democratic participation, promote peaceful elections and encourage responsible citizenship.
In his keynote address on behalf of the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director of Health and Social Care at the Agency’s National Headquarters, Dr Olufemi Abiodun Ayoola, described the initiative as a collective effort to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
He identified voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence as major threats to credible elections, noting that voter apathy weakens citizens’ participation, vote buying undermines the freedom of electoral choices, while violence threatens lives, destroys property and discourages participation.
Issa-Onilu stressed that no political ambition should cost a Nigerian life, no temporary inducement should determine the nation’s future, and no political disagreement should undermine the peace and unity of communities.
He disclosed that NOA would deploy its State Directorates and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs) across local government areas to take voter education to markets, motor parks, schools, religious centres and community meeting places.
He said the mobilisation strategy would include town hall meetings, community dialogues, radio programmes, advocacy visits, local-language communication, drama and digital platforms.
The NOA Director-General called on traditional and 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 to support the campaign.
He emphasised that the initiative was non-partisan and aimed at promoting civic consciousness, national unity and peaceful electoral participation, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, gender or social status.
Issa-Onilu also urged political parties and candidates to prioritise issue-based campaigns, discourage vote buying and ensure that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully.
He encouraged citizens to obtain accurate electoral information from official sources, particularly INEC, verify information before sharing, reject inducements, respect opposing views and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
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Addressing NOA field officers, he charged them to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication and impartiality, ensuring that no community or group was left behind.
He noted that the success of the campaign would be measured not merely by the number of meetings held, but by the level of awareness created, misconceptions corrected and positive changes in citizens’ electoral attitudes.
He subsequently declared the campaign open in Lagos State.
Speaking at the press conference, the Lagos State Director of NOA, Dr Mustafa Adedeji Tukur, outlined the State Directorate’s implementation strategy, which includes town hall meetings and media engagements during the campaign period.
Dr Tukur disclosed that the town hall meetings would be held at the palaces of first-class traditional rulers across the state, recognising the important role of traditional institutions in mobilising citizens and promoting positive electoral behaviour.
He explained that traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, community leaders, market associations, artisans, persons with disabilities and media organisations would be engaged to ensure inclusive participation.
To strengthen coordination and grassroots coverage, he said all Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers were expected to extend sensitisation activities to communities across Lagos State’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
Dr Tukur reiterated the importance of citizens exercising their electoral rights responsibly and rejecting practices capable of undermining the credibility of the democratic process.
He called for collective commitment to peaceful electoral participation, responsible political conduct and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic values.
The campaign aligns with the National Values Charter (NVC) 7-for-7, particularly the Nigeria Promises of Democracy, Peace and Security, Equality and Inclusivity, as well as the Citizens’ Codes of Discipline, Duty of Care, Tolerance and Respect, Leadership and Resilience.
The closing remarks were delivered by the Deputy Director, Civic, Values and Democracy Education, Mrs Ngozi Obi, who highlighted the importance of sustained public enlightenment and stakeholder collaboration in achieving the campaign’s objectives.
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The event was attended by representatives of media organisations, including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lagos Television (LTV), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)/Bond FM, The Nation and Daily Independent.
Through the campaign, NOA Lagos State Directorate seeks to deepen democratic awareness, discourage electoral malpractice and promote an inclusive and peaceful environment ahead of the 2027 General Elections.