HallowMace Africa has launched a nationwide voter education campaign aimed at deepening Nigerians’ understanding of the legislature and encouraging informed choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The initiative, announced on September 1, 2026, is designed to educate citizens on the roles, powers and responsibilities of legislators at both national and state levels, while promoting greater public scrutiny of candidates seeking legislative offices.
The organisation said the campaign will target all 360 Federal Constituencies and 109 Senatorial Districts across Nigeria.
According to HallowMace Africa, political discourse and electoral campaigns in the country have traditionally focused more attention on presidential and gubernatorial contests, while elections into the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly often receive less public scrutiny.
It warned that the imbalance could have serious consequences for democratic governance, particularly when voters fail to adequately assess the competence, integrity, experience, legislative knowledge and capacity of candidates seeking to represent them.
“The legislature is not merely a collection of elected politicians. It is a constitutionally established institution with critical responsibilities that directly affect the daily lives, rights and welfare of Nigerians,” the organisation said.
It noted that legislators are responsible for making and amending laws, representing constituents, scrutinising government policies and expenditure, exercising oversight over Ministries, Departments and Agencies, approving public expenditure and loans where constitutionally required, and bringing citizens’ concerns into national and state decision-making.
HallowMace Africa therefore urged Nigerians to broaden their electoral considerations beyond the question of who will become President or Governor to also ask: “Who will make the laws under which we live?”
The campaign seeks to promote issue-based electoral decision-making by encouraging voters to examine candidates’ track records, competence, character, legislative knowledge, experience, capacity and policy positions rather than relying primarily on personality, party loyalty, financial inducements or emotional considerations.
The organisation also stressed the need for citizens to understand the distinction between the executive and legislative arms of government and have realistic expectations of their elected representatives.
It said effective legislative representation goes beyond the distribution of personal gifts or attraction of occasional constituency projects, encompassing law-making, policy influence, oversight, accountability, constituency representation and advocacy.
As part of its grassroots strategy, HallowMace Africa plans to deploy town-hall meetings, radio and television programmes, community sensitisation, public lectures, stakeholder engagements, social media campaigns and educational materials.
The campaign will target young people, first-time voters, women, civil society organisations, community leaders, traditional institutions, religious organisations, students, professional groups, market associations, persons with disabilities and other segments of the electorate.
HallowMace Africa said the objective is to make legislative democracy a subject of meaningful conversation within communities rather than limiting discussions to the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, political party offices and elite political circles.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the organisation said voter education should go beyond explaining how and where to vote, stressing that citizens must also understand what they are voting for and who they are voting to represent them.
It urged voters to examine candidates’ understanding of legislative responsibilities, public service records, ability to participate effectively in law-making, knowledge of constituency challenges, proposed issues and policies, capacity for effective oversight, commitment to accountability and transparency, character and integrity, as well as plans for remaining accessible to constituents.
HallowMace Africa further called on Nigerians to remain engaged with their elected representatives after elections by monitoring legislative performance, understanding legislative processes, demanding accountability and constructively engaging their representatives throughout their tenure.
The organisation, which describes itself as committed to parliamentary advocacy and journalism, said legislative awareness and voter education are essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Its campaign message is: “KNOW YOUR LEGISLATURE. KNOW YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. KNOW YOUR VOTE.”
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Amb. Anderson Osiebe, and Head, Public Communication Desk, Amb. Oguh Hyginus John, HallowMace Africa called on Nigerians to pay closer attention to legislative elections, ask critical questions and demand accountability from those seeking to represent them.
The organisation said every legislative vote ultimately contributed to shaping the laws, policies and direction of the country.
