By Deji Abdulwahab
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerians to reject voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general election.
Idris made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the commencement of the Nationwide Grassroots Mobilisation Campaign for the 2027 general election.
The campaign was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with 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 urged eligible citizens to participate actively and peacefully in the democratic process.
According to the minister, the theme seeks to encourage citizens to embrace responsible electoral participation and promote peaceful elections across the country.
He stressed that every eligible Nigerian has a responsibility to protect the nation’s democracy by exercising their constitutional right to vote and contributing to decisions that would shape the country’s future.
According to him, active citizen participation remains essential to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountable leadership and ensuring that elected representatives reflect the aspirations of the people.
“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.”
He warned that voter apathy, vote selling and electoral violence could undermine the credibility of elections and weaken public confidence in the democratic process.
“When eligible voters stay away, sell their votes or resort to violence, the entire democratic process suffers,” the minister said.
Idris, therefore, urged Nigerians, particularly young people and first-time voters, to understand the importance of their votes and resist attempts by politicians or their supporters to manipulate their electoral choices through financial inducements or intimidation.
He said the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remained committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process and improving public confidence in elections.
The minister explained that the government was pursuing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and greater participation in the country’s democratic institutions.
“President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law, introducing important reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process,” Idris said.
He urged Nigerians to familiarise themselves with the electoral laws and procedures governing the 2027 general election to enable them to participate responsibly and protect their rights throughout the electoral process.
Idris commended the Director-General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, for initiating the nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign, describing public enlightenment as “essential to building an informed electorate”.
He called on the agency to sustain its engagement with citizens across the country, particularly at the community level, to ensure that the campaign’s message reached voters in rural and urban areas.
He said the success of the initiative would depend largely on effective cooperation among government institutions, electoral authorities, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and citizens.
He added that collective efforts were necessary to promote political tolerance, discourage electoral malpractice and ensure that the 2027 general election was conducted in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.
Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to provide a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Disu, who was represented by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said the police would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure peaceful elections.
He explained that the police would strengthen intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and professional policing strategies to address potential security threats before, during and after the 2027 general election.
The police chief urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct issue-based campaigns, demonstrate tolerance and respect the rule of law throughout the electoral process.
He warned that elections must not be used as an excuse for intimidation, vote buying, ballot snatching, destruction of electoral materials or other forms of violence capable of threatening public peace.
Disu particularly cautioned young Nigerians against allowing themselves to be used by politicians as instruments of electoral violence, stressing that their future was more valuable than temporary political inducements.
He also urged eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and safeguard their votes against manipulation, noting that peaceful participation was essential to sustaining democracy.
The I-G assured Nigerians that the police would remain professional and impartial while confronting criminal elements seeking to undermine the electoral process.
He said the police would continue to collaborate with INEC and other relevant institutions to protect voters, electoral officials and election materials, while ensuring that those who violated electoral laws were brought to justice.
Disu called on Nigerians to work collectively towards ensuring that the 2027 general election was characterised by peace, credibility, responsible leadership and respect for the people’s will.
“Let us collectively ensure that in 2027, the ballot defeats the bullet, ideas defeat intimidation, and democracy defeats violence,” he said.
He added that sustained public mobilisation, political responsibility and cooperation among stakeholders would help create an electoral environment in which citizens could freely express their choices without fear or coercion.
The police chief urged Nigerians to embrace peace and responsible citizenship, stressing that the credibility of the 2027 general election would depend not only on the actions of electoral institutions but also on the conduct of political actors and the electorate.
He called on all stakeholders to support the grassroots mobilisation campaign and work towards a united Nigeria where democratic participation, peaceful elections and accountable leadership remained shared national priorities. (NAN)
Edited by Philip Yatai
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