…As PAACA, NOA, CNPP push for voter education and credible 2027 elections
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Stakeholders at a town hall meeting on electoral reform have identified widespread ignorance among citizens as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s democratic advancement, warning that it could derail progress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the event held in Kaduna on Wednesday, Executive Director of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, described the general lack of awareness about the electoral process as a pressing concern. He stated that ignorance of key legal and procedural frameworks remains one of the gravest threats to democratic consolidation in the country.
According to him, PAACA, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, has been engaging with communities across all six geopolitical zones to educate Nigerians on electoral laws, emerging technologies, and civic responsibilities.
“There is a growing appetite among citizens to understand elections, but the knowledge gap is still glaring. In some sessions, only a handful of participants had even glanced through the Electoral Act or the Constitution,” Nwagwu said.
He cautioned that as long as Nigerians remain uninformed about the documents that underpin the country’s democratic systems, electoral reforms will be superficial.
“The biggest challenge is ignorance,” he noted. “At one session with thirty participants, only six owned a copy of the Electoral Act. Without a grasp of the rules guiding elections, we are only addressing symptoms rather than the root of the problem.”
Nwagwu acknowledged that there have been important, if understated, improvements in the electoral process. He referenced the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as transformative tools that have enhanced transparency and reduced electoral malpractice.
“These technologies have helped clean up voter registers, curbed last-minute substitutions of candidates, and brought greater clarity to the entire process,” he said. “In Anambra, for instance, the electronic nomination system encouraged timely submissions and reduced confusion. BVAS has made voter verification on election day more efficient and curbed previous irregularities in turnout figures.”
He called on journalists to ensure balanced reporting that showcases both the shortcomings and the improvements within Nigeria’s electoral system, arguing that this approach is vital for building public confidence.
“We must not only criticise the failures. Citizens should be informed of the wins too, no matter how modest. That’s how confidence in the system is restored while pressure for reform continues,” Nwagwu added.
Also speaking at the event, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kaduna State, Mr Danjuma Makama, restated the agency’s dedication to voter education and safeguarding electoral integrity.
He recalled that during the 2023 general elections, NOA ran grassroots campaigns against vote-buying and electoral violence, but stressed that more sustained efforts are necessary to foster civic participation and maintain peace.
“The 2023 elections exposed both the strengths and weaknesses of our democracy. Moving forward, we plan to intensify sensitisation efforts ahead of subsequent elections,” Makama said.
The Kaduna Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Mikailu Abubakar, also addressed the gathering, describing electoral reform as a matter of national urgency. He advocated for increased autonomy for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electronic transmission of results, a strengthened security framework, and the intentional inclusion of marginalised groups.
“Our reforms must be anchored on fairness, transparency, and access. These forums are vital in shaping the conversation and steering institutions toward genuine change,” he said.
Representing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Chief Superintendent Ndan Nicholas Kur pointed to the importance of collaboration between security agencies, electoral institutions, political actors, and the media.
Kur shared that data from the Independent National Electoral Commission showed an 11.27 percent increase in registered voters during the last election cycle. However, this coincided with over 180 reported incidents of violence in 18 states, with Kano recording the highest number of cases.
He called for better inter-agency coordination, more robust civic education, and targeted conflict resolution strategies to ensure safer elections in the future.
Participants at the event concluded by pledging their continued support for an inclusive, credible, and technology-driven electoral process that accurately reflects the will of the Nigerian people.
