The National Orientation Agency in Bauchi says it will conduct a five-month voter education exercise to mobilise participation in the 2027 elections. 

NOA’s director, Adamu Sarkinyara, said this in an interview on Wednesday in Bauchi. 

Mr Sarkinyara said the exercise targeted about one million youths to ensure free, fair, and violence-free elections in the state.

He said the agency has mobilised about 500 civil society organisations to facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise across the state’s 20 local government areas.

The director said that part of the agency’s mandate was to sensitise Nigerians on good governance, democracy and civic participation.

“NOA is a key stakeholder on election matters. We have three mandates: pre- election campaigns, voter education, and peacebuilding toward free and fair elections,” he said. 

Mr Sarkinyara said that the agency would monitor the conduct of the election and report its findings to the public, government, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the agency would also address political parties with grievances to encourage compliance with the electoral act and relevant laws.

“As part of the post-election role, we train people on good governance. We will organise a workshop in collaboration with the Development Exchange Centre (DEC), and other agencies towards building the capacity of the local structures on governance, transparency and accountability,” he said.

Mr Sarkinyara said that the exercise was designed to build the capacity of the newly elected local council chairs on open government partnership, transparent and inclusive governance.

(NAN)