As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, Executive Director of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa(PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu, has called for the prioritisation of voter education and sustained civic enlightenment, expressing concern that politicians are exploiting voters ignorance of electoral laws and processes.
Nwagwu spoke in Illorin Kwara State on Wednesday September 17, 2025, at a town hall meeting organised by PAACA with support from MacArthur Foundation.
PAACA Executive Director noted that much of the falsehood peddled about Nigeria’s elections is rooted in poor understanding of the laws and procedures guiding the conduct of polls.
He noted that increasing sensitisation and voter education will be crucial to countering misinformation and increasing confidence in the electoral system.
Nwagwu raised concern over the incredible lack of understanding among Nigerians about the legal framework governing elections, warning that this knowledge gap continues to fuel widespread misinformation around electoral processes.
The townhall meeting which is part of PAACA’s ongoing advocacy to promote better understanding of the electoral process, had in attendance, representatives from INEC, Security agencies, traditional leaders, National Orientation Agency, Civil societies organisations and the media.
He said, “Lack of understanding of the legal regime with which elections are conducted has been responsible for some of the falsehood and misinformation around electoral processes.”
“It has been humbling to see the level of ignorance, and we are happy to use this platform to educate stakeholders and bridge that gap,” he added.
Nwagwu further reminded participants that elections remain a people-driven process, and reforms can not succeed without a sound understanding of the rules and new technological innovations infused to enhance. Support and guide the electoral practice.
He expressed concern over what he described as “community collusion,” which he said undermines elections and weakens accountability at the subnational level.
“As stakeholders, some of us are guilty. We should be agents of change beyond short-term benefits,” he said. “If INEC has put the power in your hands, then you should seek ways of maximizing that power instead of devaluing it. We should be students of the law because politicians study the law to use it as a tool to undermine the process.”
Highlighting the importance of sustained civic engagement, the PAACA boss urged participants not to remain passive but to cascade the knowledge gained from the town hall into their communities and areas of expertise.
“The value of this program is in cascading it to our various areas of specialisation. We must not just be warm benchers and keep quiet in the midst of so much information gathered today,” Nwagwu said.
Nwagwu added that PAACA will continue to engage stakeholders through townhalls and other platforms to deepen public understanding of the electoral process and strengthen democratic participation.
Also speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara State, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet commended PAACA for organising the forum, describing it as timely for reflecting on the gains of past elections and charting areas of improvement ahead of 2027.
Longpet restated the commitment of the Commission to continuously educate voters on the electoral process and promote voter awareness and participation.
He emphasised that INEC’s mandate is to conduct free, fair and transparent elections that reflect the will of the people, a task that requires collective effort from civil society, political parties, the media, security agencies, the judiciary, and other stakeholders.
“Together, we can work towards promoting voter education, ensuring adherence to relevant rules and regulations, preventing electoral malpractices, providing essential services, and enhancing the overall electoral process,” he said.
Reviewing the 2023 elections, he noted that despite challenges, the polls showcased the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy, with the Electoral Act 2022 introducing reforms and innovations such as the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal, which boosted transparency.
He, however, identified persistent challenges such as premature campaigning, electoral violence, insecurity, and vote buying.
He disclosed that INEC had forwarded 142 post-election recommendations to the National Assembly, with eight requiring constitutional or Electoral Act amendments.
The REC listed key priorities going forward to include better planning and logistics, stronger inter-agency collaboration for election security, continuous voter education to tackle apathy and misinformation, as well as greater transparency and accountability leveraging technology.
“By upholding the principles of democracy, ensuring free and fair elections, and promoting inclusivity, INEC plays a vital role in building a robust democratic system in Nigeria. While challenges remain, INEC will continue to work diligently to overcome obstacles and ensure that every Nigerian citizen can exercise their right to vote,” Longpet assured.
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