By PERPETUA ONUEGBU

Yiaga Africa says 84 per cent of Nigerians intend to vote during the 2027 general elections, urging political parties to mobilise citizens to ensure they vote in spite of insecurity, distrust and vote buying threat to turnout.

Hussein ‌‌‍‍‌‍⁠⁠‍‌‌‌‍‍‌Abdul, Yiaga Africa Board Chairman said this on Wednesday while unveiling its third National Voting Intentions Survey, based on interviews with 2,470 Nigerians across 36 states and FCT.

He said, Yiaga’s third voters’ intention study examines Nigerians’ readiness, motivations and expectations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abdul said insecurity, fears of election-related violence and low confidence in INEC, judiciary and security agencies could influence citizens’ decisions to vote.

He said the findings were not verdicts, but wake-up calls requiring INEC, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to address identified concerns.

Abdul urged political parties to mobilise voters and strengthen civic education, saying low turnout undermines democracy in spite of more than 100 million registered voters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the findings showed that 61 per cent of the respondents feared violence could prevent them from voting, rising to 78 per cent in the North-East, while 83 per cent wanted improved security.

The survey showed declining trust in INEC, with only 34 per cent confident of credible elections, while 63 per cent had little or no confidence in judicial resolution of electoral disputes.

It said 54 per cent disapproved of President’s performance, while 71 per cent rated the economy poorly, with 49 per cent seeking leadership change as a voting motivation.

The report urged government and security agencies to strengthen election security, while INEC, judiciary, parties, media and civil society should improve credibility, voter confidence and combat vote buying.

Speaking on the report, Safiya Bichi, Head, Knowledge Management and Learning, Yiaga Africa, said: “Nigerians have not given up on democracy, but wanted votes to count.

Bichi said they see elections as their duty and they believe their votes can make a difference.

“What stand between that willingness and the ballot box is fear, distrust and money.

“Low turnout in Nigeria is a conversion problem, not an apathy problem and the responsibility for fixing it lies with the institutions and actors who control security, credibility and logistics,” Bichi said.

In a panel discussion featured at the launch, Ene Obi, Executive Director, Ene Obi Centre for Development said Nigeria would get it right and there would be more confidence if citizens vote and guard their votes.

The panel discussion was focused on ‘Intensions, Commitment s and Pathways to Increasing Turnout’.

“We need to encourage citizens to go out and vote because this is their country, for civil society we are not worried about who wins but about the process, because the process must be fair and transparent.

“We must also take cognisance of those in the IDP camps and the areas they call ungovernable.”

Also speaking at the panel discussion, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), called on the media to highlight the positive side of the report of 84 per cent willing to vote.

He also called for investment in political reforms and not only electoral reforms, adding that the values and attitudes of politicians also affect election integrity.

Speaking on behalf of INEC, Mrs Victoria Efa-Mesi, Director Voter Education and Publicity called on Nigerians to do the right thing at all times, affirming that INEC was prepared for the 2027 elections. (NAN)