Election violence, vote buying eroding Nigerians’ confidence — NOA

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has highlighted several factors that are undermining Nigerians' confidence in the electoral process, including election violence, misinformation, vote buying, and a declining trust in democracy. Olukemi Afolayan, the Director of Civic, Values and Democracy Education at the NOA, made these statements at a roundtable event organized by Create Studio Nigeria and the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice in Abuja.

Afolayan emphasized that young Nigerians, who are critical stakeholders in the country's democratic future, are increasingly perceiving their votes as inconsequential, leading to voter apathy. To restore confidence, she argued that citizens must understand the significance of their vote and the accompanying rights and responsibilities.

Prof. Ajibade Michael, a university professor, suggested that individuals above 70 years should not participate in Nigeria's political system, as younger people are more capable of addressing contemporary challenges. Adekunle Adebanjo, the Executive Director of the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice, stressed that democracy serves a purpose beyond its existence and should ultimately lead to improved living conditions and opportunities for citizens.

The roundtable aimed to bring together stakeholders to address Nigeria's democratic challenges and enhance the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.