The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has begun its voter education and sensitization campaigns for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
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In her welcome address durig the flag-off of the agency’s Sensitization of voter’s education and Engagement of Stakeholders towards the successful conduct of 2023 Governorship election in Yenagoa, the State Director of NOA, Mrs. Patricia Maduemezia, emphasized the need to create awareness and enlighten voters on the proper behaviours required on election day, discouraging vote buying and selling, election rigging and snatching of ballot boxes.
Mrs. Maduemezia disclosed that the NOA’s programme will be taken across the state to ensure that people know their rights as voters and what it takes to participate in an election.
The Director-General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari in his remarks noted that Bayelsa is one of the eight states where Governorship elections were not held during the last General Elections.
The Director-General who was ably represented by Mrs. Adelaja Adeola, Director Political, Civic, Ethics and Values Department, also stated that the agency’s voter education and sensitization programme is designed to address concerns from the 2023 General Elections, such as low turnout, poor understanding of the Electoral Act, and incidents of electoral violence.
DR. Abari expressed hope that the new Electoral Act would facilitate the inclusion of vulnerable groups as the nation prepares to hold the Governorship Elections in Bayelsa State.
“As an agency, we need to inspire confidence in the democratic model which has served several countries so well. The level of violence, manipulations and desperation exhibited during elections have generally given democracy a bad name and all of us as Nigerians have a duty to put a stop to that”.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in line with its mandate, has since been championing voter sensitization and citizens’ mobilization to ensure that the new Electoral Act is well understood by citizens and given effect by all relevant stakeholders”, he said.
Cross section of stakeholders
He also urged stakeholders present, including political parties, socio-political organisations, security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society professional associations, the media, etc to take the campaign further to other citizens who depend on them for information, sensitization and education during elections.
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During the stakeholders meeting, INEC, NYSC, NDLEA, CAN, Council for Islamic Society, IPAC, FRSC, and NCDSC conveyed their goodwill messages. The event also featured a drama presentation that showcased the theme of the Off-Season Governorship Elections Sensitization Campaigns in Bayelsa State.
Moving forward, the National Orientation Agency will remain committed to partnering with stakeholders who share the agency’s mandate of promoting and mobilizing Nigerians to participate in peaceful and orderly elections. The ultimate goal is to achieve an outcome that reflects the informed choice of the people on who should govern them.
