By Mustapha Salisu
Stakeholders drawn from civil society organisations, political parties, the media, youth and women groups, religious organisations and community leaders have received a capacity-building workshop on voter mobilisation and peacebuilding in Kano State ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The training held yesterday (Saturday) at Tahir Guest Palace Kano, was organised by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and aimed at strengthening collaboration among key actors to promote peaceful, inclusive and credible elections while increasing citizens’ participation in the electoral process.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, KDI’s Head of Research and Strategy, Mr. Oluwafemi John Adebayo said the programme was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and strategies for voter education, conflict prevention and community engagement to reduce electoral violence before, during and after the 2027 polls.
According to Mr. Adebayo, the workshop seeks to promote stronger partnerships among stakeholders in developing coordinated approaches to voter mobilisation and peacebuilding at the state level.
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He noted that participants would explore effective strategies for promoting issue-based campaigns, encouraging peaceful political participation and countering misinformation capable of undermining the credibility of elections.
“The workshop is also expected to produce a State-Level Voter Mobilisation and Peacebuilding Action Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for coordinated activities aimed at enhancing voter participation and sustaining peace throughout the electoral cycle”
“Participants are also expected to deepen their understanding of electoral processes, strengthen mechanisms for dialogue and mediation, and build sustainable networks that will support civic engagement and peaceful coexistence across communities” Mr. Adebayo added.
Highlights of the workshop included paper presentations by Mr. Oluwafemi John Adebayo and Mr. Kelvin Agagbe, Senior Programme Officer at KDI, on “Electoral Process, Civic Education and Access to Credible Electoral Information,” “Understanding Voter Apathy: Drivers of Non-Participation and Voter Mobilisation Strategies,” and “Understanding Electoral Violence: Conflict Analysis, Early Warning and the Role of Peace Ambassadors.”
Other highlights included the development of a State-Level Voter Mobilisation and Peacebuilding Action Plan, group presentations by participants, and the presentation of certificates of participation to stakeholders.