By Habibu Harisu
Kware – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Sokoto state, has began statewide campaign on proper voting patterns, dangers of electoral violence and good conducts in the upcoming general elections.
Speaking at the inauguration of the exercise in Kware Local Government Area on Thursday, the state Director of NOA, Alhaji Maude Danchadi, said it was a continuation of the agency’s effort to ensure smooth conduct of the elections.
Danchadi explained that objective was to educate voters on their civic responsibilities, discourage voter apathy and ensure active participation in the polls.
He said it was also focused on ensuring peaceful conduct, proper voting, discouraging vote buying and educating voters on penalties for electoral offences.
” The agency is sensitising the people on need to protect and promote national unity, reject leaders that manipulate them for selfish interest.
“We are also educating them to know that ethnic associations are tools of promoting development not platform to cause inter communal fights,“he said.
Danchadi called on politicians to avoid malpractice, inducing voters, promoting hate speeches, spreading fake news during the general elections, and always strive for the betterment of the people.
The director urged electoral officers and security personnel to display transparent conduct during the exercise and remain apolitical.
He urged religious and community leaders, youth groups and political parties to continue with the sensitisation campaign in their localities.
Also speaking, the District Head of Kware, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, expressed optimism that issues discussed would facilitate successful conduct of the election.
Abubakar urged the people not to allow themselves to be misled by politicians who may use religion to campaign before the election and later betray the trust reposed in them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by security agencies including Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Road Safety Corps.
