CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT THE VOTES

“It is now or never.”

The 2027 General Elections present an opportunity for Nigerian voters to participate actively in protecting the integrity of their votes. Citizens who want their votes to count should not leave the entire responsibility to political parties, candidates, security agencies, or election officials. Voters have a lawful role to play in observing the voting and counting process and ensuring that the results announced at their polling units are properly documented.

During a campaign meeting for the Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso Campaign Movement at Ijere Foundation, Umuahia, Abia State, Sir Maduakolam Kenneth Adighibe emphasized the need for voters to become more involved in protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

He called for a nationwide voter-awareness campaign across communities and wards, encouraging citizens to understand their rights and responsibilities before, during, and after the elections.

The message is simple:

They may have money for billboards and campaign materials, but no one can buy millions of citizens who are determined to participate peacefully and lawfully in the electoral process.

1. Voters Must Understand Their Rights

Every eligible voter should understand the procedures for voting, counting, result declaration, and the applicable collation process.

Voters should:

Arrive at their polling units early and with their valid PVC.

Observe the process peacefully.

Remain within the areas permitted by electoral regulations.

Observe the counting of votes.

Record or photograph publicly displayed results where legally permitted.

Obtain information about the official result from their polling unit.

Preserve evidence of the result and report discrepancies through lawful channels.

2. Build a Strong Network of Trained Polling Agents

The party should begin preparations early by recruiting and training properly accredited and trusted polling agents for every polling unit.

Where permitted under electoral rules, agents should be equipped to:

Observe voting and counting.

Record the announced results accurately.

Obtain copies of result forms as provided by law.

Take photographs of result forms where permitted.

Send verified results to the party’s designated situation room.

Report irregularities through the appropriate legal and electoral channels.

Accuracy is more important than speed. Every result transmitted to a situation room should be verified before publication.

3. Protect the Process Peacefully

NDC supporters and other voters should understand that protecting the vote does not mean fighting.

There should be:

No violence.

No intimidation.

No confrontation with electoral officials.

No destruction of electoral materials.

No threats against opponents.

Young people can play an important role by helping elderly voters, women, and persons with disabilities understand the process and by encouraging everyone to remain calm and law-abiding.

4. Follow the Results from Polling Units to Collation

The responsibility does not end when voting stops.

Citizens and accredited party agents should, within the limits established by electoral law, follow the result through the prescribed collation process and compare the figures with the results recorded at their polling units.

Where a discrepancy is identified, it should be documented and challenged through the appropriate electoral and legal procedures, rather than through confrontation.

5. Do Not Depend on One Person to Protect the Vote

Candidates and party leaders cannot personally be everywhere.

A credible election therefore requires informed voters, properly trained agents, independent observers, transparent procedures, and effective electoral institutions.

The objective should not be to take the law into our own hands. The objective should be to ensure that every legitimate vote is counted and every officially recorded result is properly accounted for.

6. Start the Campaign Now

This voter-education campaign should begin immediately in communities, wards, local government areas, and across Nigeria.

Every supporter should understand:

Your vote is your constitutional choice.

Your polling unit is where your vote is cast.

The counting process matters.

The result documentation matters.

The collation process matters.

Peaceful participation matters.

The 2027 election should be an election in which citizens are informed, organized, peaceful, and vigilant.

Protect the vote.

Protect the process.

Protect democracy — peacefully and lawfully.

Campaign Message:

“Cast Your Vote. Witness the Count. Record the Result. Follow the Lawful Process.”

For the NDC Party and supporters of democratic participation across Nigeria.