The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Plateau State residents to reject voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence before, during and after the 2027 general elections.

The Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the call at a grassroots voter mobilisation town hall meeting organised by the agency in Jos on Wednesday.

Mr Issa-Onilu, represented by Director of Special Duties and States Operations, NOA, David Akoji, said voter apathy would not address the challenges confronting the country.

He urged eligible citizens to participate actively in the electoral process by coming out to exercise their civic responsibility.

The DG described vote buying as a practice that undermined electoral integrity and compromised the ability of citizens to make independent political choices.

He said votes should not be treated as commodities to be exchanged for money, gifts or other material inducements.

He stressed that electing leaders without considering their competence, character and capacity could have far-reaching consequences for present and future generations.

Mr Issa-Onilu urged voters to resist inducements and make electoral choices based on their conscience and the collective interest of the country.

He said peaceful elections were both possible and necessary, adding that security agencies had critical roles to play in protecting lives and property and ensuring a safe electoral environment.

He expressed confidence in the preparedness and cooperation of security agencies, particularly in intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination and strategic deployment, to safeguard the elections.

He, however, emphasised that peaceful elections were a collective responsibility, urging citizens to reject political thuggery, inflammatory language and other activities capable of triggering violence.

The DG particularly cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political violence, urging them to shun attacks on opponents and the destruction of public and private property.

He said no political ambition was greater than the peace and security of the country.

Mr Issa-Onilu also called on traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance and responsible citizenship in their communities.

He urged the media and social media users to verify information before sharing, warning that misinformation, disinformation and hate speech could undermine public confidence and incite violence.

He said NOA would deploy its state directorates and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers across the local government areas to intensify grassroots voter mobilisation.

Similarly, NOA State Director in Plateau, Kaneng Pam-Hworo, said the meeting was aimed at sensitising grassroots communities on the dangers of voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence.

Ms Pam-Hworo said the involvement of traditional rulers would ensure that the knowledge gained at the meeting was cascaded to their respective communities.

According to her, ensuring credible elections was not the sole responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but a collective duty of the electorate, political parties and other stakeholders.

She urged political parties to promote peaceful elections by cautioning their supporters against engaging in any form of violence.

The NOA director also advised voters to desist from sharing information capable of inciting violence or creating tension in their communities.

Responding, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Buba, who is also Chairman of the Jos Traditional Council of Chiefs and President of the Plateau State Traditional Council, commended NOA for organising the sensitisation meeting.

Mr Buba, represented by the Gwom Rwey of Barkin Ladi, Edward Gyang, assured the NOA director-general that traditional rulers would take the information gained at the meeting to their respective communities.

He urged traditional rulers to be guided by their conscience when approached by representatives of political parties seeking their support for elective positions.

Mr Buba stressed the importance of neutrality, integrity and fairness in their engagements with political actors to promote peaceful and credible elections.

The meeting was organised in conjunction with the Office of the Gbong Gwom Jos.

A keynote address titled, “Preserving the Conscience of the Plateau: Addressing Vote Buying, Voter Apathy and Electoral Violence,” was presented by Jacob Pwakim.

(NAN)