As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues the distribution of permanent voters’ card (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has assured Nigerians that the polls would be credible, free and fair.
Speaking against the backdrop of apathy by greater percentage of the electorates in collecting their PVCs, the Akwa Ibom State director of the agency, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said measures had been put in place to make every vote count.
He appealed to the residents of the state yet to collect their PVCs to do so as Nigeria inches towards the big contest early next year.
Mkpoutom made the appeal while sensitising the youths and community leaders in Mkpat Enin local government area, where he encouraged eligible voters to take advantage of the ongoing PVC collection to ensure they were ready to participate in the forthcoming elections.
He assured the residents that their votes would count, urging them not to allow fear, doubt or misinformation to discourage them from exercising their civic responsibility, stressing that “voting remains an important way for citizens to participate in choosing their leaders and shaping the future of the State and the country.”
The state director also demonstrated the correct voting procedure, explaining the importance of following electoral guidelines to ensure a smooth and orderly voting process.
He, therefore , urged voters to “listen to instructions from electoral officials, understand the voting procedure, and cast your ballots peacefully.”
Mkpoutom further appealed to residents to maintain peace and order before, during, and after the elections and cautioned against violence, intimidation, hate speech, and any conduct capable of disrupting the electoral process, stressing that “elections should be an opportunity for citizens to express their choices freely and peacefully.”
Besides, he called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to encourage peaceful participation and respect the rights of other citizens, regardless of their political differences.
According to him, the commitment of all stakeholders to peace and responsible conduct was essential to ensuring a credible electoral process.
The State Director urged residents to obtain accurate electoral information from the INEC, NOA and other appropriate authorities rather than relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
He reiterated NOA’s commitment to promoting civic awareness, responsible citizenship and peaceful participation in the electoral process, maintaining that the agency would continue to educate and enlighten the public on their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Iniobong Ekponta is the Akwa Ibom State Correspondent for Leadership Newspaper, with over 20 years of experience across Nigerian media including The Comet, The Nation, The Moment, The Union, and Tribune. He holds an HND in Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Conflict Studies from the University of Uyo. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management, and specialises in governance, politics, security, and social affairs.
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