The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerians to reject voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general election.
Idris made the call on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Abuja, during the flag-off of the National Orientation Agency's (NOA) nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign to promote responsible electoral participation.
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,” aims to encourage eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and protect democratic stability.
The minister said elections provide citizens with an opportunity to choose their representatives and influence the direction of their communities and the country.
He warned that voter apathy, selling votes and resorting to violence undermine democratic participation and weaken the electoral process.
Idris said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, remained committed to strengthening Nigeria's democracy.
He also stated that the President had signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law, describing it as part of efforts to improve transparency, accountability and public confidence in elections.
The minister commended the NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and the agency's staff for initiating the campaign. He called for sustained public engagement and cooperation among government institutions, electoral authorities, security agencies, community leaders and citizens.
Speaking at the event, Issa-Onilu said the agency would deploy its state directorates across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to mobilise citizens at the grassroots.
He said the campaign would use local languages, radio programmes, community dialogues, drama and digital platforms to reach diverse audiences and address factors contributing to voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence.
According to the NOA director-general, the initiative would also encourage Nigerians to share verified information responsibly as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, reaffirmed the commission's commitment to conducting a free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible 2027 general election.
Amupitan said achieving credible elections would require early preparation, cooperation among stakeholders and active participation by Nigerians.
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