…PAACA hosts cross-sectoral dialogue to deepen democratic participation.
By Procyon News Staff Writer
Kaduna, Nigeria – July 16, 2025 – Stakeholders from across Kaduna State gathered on Wednesday for a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Electoral Reform, hosted by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), to reflect on the lessons of the 2023 general elections and chart a path for more credible, inclusive, and transparent future polls.
The event, held at Asaa Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna, brought together a broad spectrum of participants including traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), the Media, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and political stakeholders.
PAACA Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the objective of the meeting was to “harvest the gains and identify areas for improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process” through citizen-led engagement. He stressed that electoral reform is a necessary foundation for democratic consolidation in the country.
NOA Highlights Role in Electoral Awareness
Delivering a goodwill message, the Kaduna State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Danjuma Makama, emphasized the agency’s commitment to raising voter awareness, improving civic participation, and promoting peaceful elections.
“NOA is deeply committed to educating citizens on electoral rules, identifying party symbols, and discouraging youth involvement in thuggery,” Makama stated.
He acknowledged the role NOA played in the 2023 elections and stressed the need to address persistent issues such as electoral violence, vote buying, and poor voter education.
CNPP Demands Structural Electoral Reforms
In his remarks, Mikailu Abubakar, Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Kaduna State, called for bold, people-driven reforms to rebuild public trust in the electoral process.
“Electoral reform is a national imperative. We must push for transparent result transmission, stronger electoral institutions, and inclusive participation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” he declared.
Abubakar urged civil society and political actors to see voters not just as ballot participants, but as co-architects of democracy.
NSCDC Commits to Secure Electoral Environment
Representing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the State Commandant of NSCDC Kaduna praised the 2023 elections for improvements in technology deployment and public participation, while acknowledging challenges like election-related violence and attacks on INEC facilities.
“Between 2019 and 2022, INEC recorded over 50 attacks on its facilities in 15 states. The 2023 elections saw 180 incidents of violence in 18 states, with Kano and Kogi topping the list,” the NSCDC noted.
He called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, enhanced civic education, and the adoption of conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure peaceful and credible future elections.
Collective Responsibility for Democratic Progress
PAACA Speakers throughout the eventSpeakers throughout the event emphasized that safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral integrity requires the commitment of all actors—from voters and security agencies to political parties and election officials.
In line with PAACA’s mission to promote democratic accountability, participants agreed on the need for continuous electoral education, legislative reforms, and stronger collaboration between civil society and state institutions.
As the country prepares for future elections, the town hall meeting served as a reminder that democracy thrives when citizens are informed, institutions are trusted, and elections reflect the true will of the people.
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