CDD-West Africa, Stakeholders Task Nigerians Against Voter Apathy
Stakeholders on Wednesday called on Nigerians to increase participation in the electoral process in spite the perceived flaws of the past.
The stakeholders made the call at a one day regional stakeholder conference on Information Narratives for the 2027 General Election in Southeast, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West-Africa) in Awka.
Participants at the event also called for conscious effort to enhance public confidence by adopting measures that would produce electoral outcome that would be be acceptable by a greater majority
Mr Chuka Nnabuife, Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office in his presentation said all the electorate and organisers should focus on working towards a fair process rather than targeting what they could get out of it.
Nnabuife, a Media Practitioner said during elections, lawyers, professors, youths and the electorate all strategise for personal gains instead of working towards a process that would yield a generally acceptable outcome.
He urged people to appreciate the importance of elections while calling on the media to step up the awareness effort.
Mrs Ifeoma Chijioke, Director, National Orientation Agency promised that agency would continue to fight against voter apathy by sensitisisng Nigerians on the need to participate in election.
Chijioke said there was a need to build voter confidence by ensuring that the outcome of the election reflected how the people voted .
On her part, Mrs Amaka Mojeke, Chairperson, International Federalism of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Anambra said the electoral system in Nigeria was evolving and improving even though slowly.
Mojeke commended the amendment of the electoral laws and called on the electorate to participate in the election in spite the perceived shortcomings adding that there was no perfect election anywhere in the world.
“However, the feedback we are getting from the amended law shows that people are worried over the non-inclusion of compulsory electronic transmission of election results.
“Women have to be protected because they are the people who vote, part of their disappointment is when the result does not reflect how they voted,” she said.
In his address of welcome, Dr Dauda Garuba, the Director (CDD-West-Africa) said the goal was to inform and equip stakeholders to promote peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in southeast Nigeria.
Garuba, represented by Chibuike Mgbeahuruike, CDD’s Election Consultant said the 2025 Anambra governorship election presented numerous challenges, including the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech which should guide future exercise.
He said the objectives were to assess the impact of information narratives on elections, identify strategies to mitigate disinformation, strengthen electoral management and system resilience and foster civic engagement.
“Through panel discussions, presentations, we will share insights, best practices, and recommendations for the 2027 general election.
“Let us work together to strengthen our democracy and ensure that information serves the public good,” he said.
The programme ended with the formal unveiling of CDD-West-Africa 2025 Anambra Governorship Election Report.
