By Samson Obande,  Lafia

The State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nasarawa State Directorate, Mr. Augustine Akwe Doma, has called on political actors in the state to focus on issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Doma made the call during a one-day sensitisation meeting with leaders of political parties organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lafia, the state capital.

The NOA Director stressed the importance of peaceful campaigns, urging politicians to make dialogue their watchword rather than confrontation, and to embrace tolerance over hatred.

“Let us tolerate each other rather than hate, embrace one another rather than rivalry, and above all odds, place Nasarawa State above partisanship,” he said.

He called on the 23 political party leaders in the state to place Nasarawa State above personal ambitions, disagree with dignity, embrace integrity and consolidate on the peace being enjoyed under Governor Abdullahi A. Sule.

He also reaffirmed the mandate of the agency to communicate, inform and educate citizens on government policies and programmes, as well as convey feedback from the people to government.

Earlier in his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Alh. Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq, thanked political party leaders for attending the meeting and called for total decorum among politicians before, during and after the elections.

The REC announced the approved campaign periods: Presidential and National Assembly campaigns from 19th August, 2026 to 15th January, 2027 for the 16th January election; and Governorship and State Assembly campaigns from 9th September, 2026 to 5th February, 2027 for the 6th February election.

He warned against campaigning outside the permitted window and directed all parties to immediately submit detailed campaign itineraries to INEC and the Police in line with Section 30(8)(i) of the Guidelines for Political Parties 2026, containing date, time, venue, LGA/Ward, nature of activity and coordinator’s contacts, to enable monitoring and security coordination. He urged issue-based and peaceful campaigns.

In attendance were the Commandant of the NSCDC in Nasarawa State, Brah Samson Umoru; NOA State Director, Augustine Akwe Doma; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) representing the Commissioner of Police; Deputy Director Operations representing the Director, DSS; the State IPAC Chairman and his EXCO; and leaders of political parties including ADC, APP, APN, ADP, PDP, APC, AA, APGA, Accord Party, ANPP, APM, Labour Party, NDC, DLA, YPP, PRP and others.

The meeting ended with a group photograph at about 4:30 p.m.