The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA) has appealed to Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the electoral process, to acquaint themselves with the reforms and guidelines introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ezenwa Nwagwu, executive director of PAACA, made this call during a one-day town hall meeting in Sokoto. The gathering, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, was designed to promote voter education and improve awareness of electoral reforms in preparation for the 2027 polls.
Nwagwu explained that citizens must bridge knowledge gaps and rely on facts rather than hearsay, pointing out that misinformation often thrives when people lack a proper understanding of the laws. He noted that most electoral offences are committed by politicians, but informed citizens can resist manipulation and play an active role in protecting democracy.
He also urged community leaders and stakeholders to take responsibility by educating themselves and others, stressing that those who invest effort in learning the rules are better equipped to guide others.
Representing INEC’s resident electoral commissioner in Sokoto, Umar Yusuf Garba, was Abdullahi Sale Dawa, head of voter education and publicity. Dawa described the town hall as an important platform for strengthening knowledge of electoral processes.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, he acknowledged areas of progress such as improved voter education, technology deployment and stakeholder involvement. He also admitted that several challenges surfaced, which require reflection and open dialogue.
He emphasised that continuous engagement between INEC, civil society and citizens is vital to build on the gains recorded, address shortcomings and move Nigeria closer to transparent and inclusive elections in 2027.
