NOA Identifies Key Issues Eroding Confidence in Elections

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has identified several factors eroding Nigerians' confidence in the electoral process, including election violence, misinformation, vote-buying, and declining trust. Olukemi Afolayan, the Director of Civic, Values and Democracy Education at the NOA, made these statements on Thursday in Abuja during an election roundtable organized by Create Studio Nigeria and the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice.

Afolayan noted that many young Nigerians feel their votes do not make a meaningful difference, contributing to voter apathy. She stressed the importance of restoring citizens' confidence in democracy to encourage greater electoral participation.

Afolayan described young Nigerians as critical stakeholders in the democratic process and emphasized the need for civic education to help them understand the significance of their votes. Additionally, Prof Ajibade Michael called for the exclusion of individuals over 70 from the political system, advocating for younger leaders who are more equipped to address contemporary challenges.