Abuja:The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process by rejecting voter apathy, vote buying, and electoral violence as the 2027 general election approaches.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Idris made this appeal during the launch of the Nationwide Grassroots Mobilisation Campaign in Abuja, organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) 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’.
He emphasized the responsibility of every eligible Nigerian to protect the nation’s democracy by exercising their right to vote, underscoring that active citizen participation is crucial for strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring accountable leadership. Idris warned that neglecting to vote, selling votes, or engaging in violence could undermine electoral credibility and diminish public confidence in the democratic process.
Idris urged young people and first-time voters to recognize the importance of their votes and resist manipulation attempts through financial inducements or intimidation. He noted that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to enhancing the democratic process and public trust in elections, highlighted by the signing of the Electoral Act 2026 into law, which introduces reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
The minister praised the Director-General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, for initiating the campaign and called for sustained efforts to engage citizens, particularly in rural and urban communities. He emphasized that successful elections depend on collaboration among government bodies, electoral authorities, security agencies, and civil society organizations.
Additionally, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, represented by CSP Anietie Iniedu, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to ensuring a secure voting environment. The police plan to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to address potential security threats and ensure peaceful elections. Disu warned against electoral violence and urged political actors to conduct issue-based campaigns while respecting the rule of law.
Disu also advised young Nigerians against succumbing to political manipulation and stressed the importance of safeguarding their votes. He assured that the police would act professionally and impartially to protect the electoral process and hold violators accountable.
The police chief called for collective efforts to make the 2027 elections peaceful, credible, and reflective of the people’s will, advocating for sustained public mobilisation and cooperation among stakeholders to promote democracy and peaceful elections.