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2023: Don’t Buy Or Sell Votes, NOA Urges Nigerians
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigeria not to sell or buy votes so they can elect credible leaders into various political offices.
NOA is a Federal Government agency saddled with the responsibility of educating, sensitising and informing the citizens of government’s programmes and at the same time, getting useful feedback from citizens.
The Director of the agency in Kaduna State, Galadima Zubairu Soba, who made the call, yesterday, while playing host to members of the We-You project led by Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW) with support from ActionAid Nigeria in Kaduna also frowned at voter’s apathy which he said should be addressed before the next round of elections.
The Acting Executive Director of LANW, who is also the Facilitator of We-You project in Kaduna, Mrs.Hannatu Hauwan, had told the NOA director that, the project wanted to see political structure more inclusive by way of supporting women and young people to be elected into party and political offices.
“LANW with support from ActionAid Nigeria is implementing a We-You project in six local government areas in Kaduna which are Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Chikun, Zaria and Jema’a, aiming at seeing an increase in women and youth participation in politics.
“We are engaging with relevant stakeholders who have roles to play in the coming elections to know what they have done, what they are doing to ensure the success of the elections.
“So, we want to see if there is any area we can collaborate with NOA since we have about 300 mentees spread across various communities in six LGAs who can offer support at their levels”, she inquired.
Responding, the NOA director sought partnership with LAMN in the areas of need for prospective voters to go and collect their permanent voter’s card (PVC), plan to use it to elect credible leaders, voting aright and ensure violent free balloting in all the election processes.
To him, “NOA has placed more priority on durable political culture whereby we will not just be on the same page with other countries, but ahead of them. Our political education must show something extra.
“Right from colonial days, Kaduna has been a political voice and that is why NOA is not relenting on its oars to educate Nigerians in this part of the country.
“In 2022, we have been educating citizens to register during the continuous voter registration because anyone who is 18 years and above has the civic responsibility to participate in our electoral practices. Anyone who is of age but refuses to participate does not mean well to us.
“Democracy is the only system of governance that gives all and sundry the privilege to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development. Anyone who is of age without a voter’s card is a drawback to the country.
“The issue of having free, fair and balanced election has been of serious concern to those who meant well for the country. Nigerians should be conscious of the dividing factors that are promoted by politicians.
“Sensibly, we must be together to fight those mundane factors that divide us. We have all in us – academic prowess, business prowess, professional prowess and all we need as a country.
“So, we need to join hands to tell those that have registered to go and collect their PVC. We need to preach no violence even in the face of provocation.
“We need to educate those with PVC on the correct or proper voting procedure because some people don’t know the candidates, logo, name of political parties until they get to their point units. They should know how to properly cast their vote and how to fold the ballot.
“Do not sell your vote. Do not sell your conscience. Do not buy votes. Most important, we need all hands to be on deck in the area of voter apathy. People have registered, they have their PVC, they should go out and vote because their votes have the power to elect credible leaders”, he said.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
