By Chinedu Echianu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians of its readiness to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible 2027 general elections, urging citizens to reject voter apathy, vote-buying and electoral violence.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance in Abuja during the flag-off of a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The campaign, themed “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Future: Say No to Apathy, Vote-Buying and Violence,” aims to boost voter participation, promote peaceful elections and strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.
Amupitan said INEC had begun preparations through internal reviews, assessments of previous elections and consultations with observers. He identified low voter turnout, vote-buying and misinformation as major challenges requiring attention ahead of the polls.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, warned that fake news and misleading videos could discourage voters, heighten political tension and trigger violence. He urged Nigerians, particularly media practitioners and social media users, to verify information before sharing it.
Meanwhile, NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the agency would mobilise its state directorates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as orientation officers in all 774 local government areas, to drive voter education.
He said the campaign would use community dialogues, radio programmes, local languages, drama and digital platforms to engage young people, women, persons with disabilities and other community groups.
Issa-Onilu also condemned vote-buying and electoral violence, stressing that no political ambition should cost a Nigerian’s life.
The speakers called for collective responsibility among electoral authorities, political parties, the media and citizens to ensure peaceful, credible and participatory elections in 2027.
