Kimpact Development Initiative, (KDI) a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization advancing good governance, democratic rights, public policy, and public engagement, on Thursday, 19 June, 2025 unveiled “Naija Elections” (its AI-powered tool) to Anambra voters ahead of the November 8, 2025 in the state.
KDI since March 2014, has worked hand-in-hand with local and international bodies to promote peaceful elections and active citizen engagement in democratic processes and reforms.
Its Executive Director, Bukola Idowu, shed light on why the platform was developed and how it can aid deepen citizens knowledge about elections and governance in the country.
Excerpts
Question: The Naija Elections have been unveiled for the people of Anambra State, ahead of the November 8th governorship election in the state. Can you please highlight the critical aspects of this very app?
Idowu: Basically, the Niger election is an election and a governance information platform. What it does is to give information, I mean accurate and official information. When I say official, I mean that it houses the electoral act, the constitution, and any guideline. So, you can get the official information there. The main purpose is to curb misinformation and disinformation. So, you get there for two major reasons. Number one, to get accurate information. Number two, for voter education. And then number three, is for you to be able to educate others too.
And it uses a generative artificial intelligence to interact with its user. So, the whole essence, like I said is to battle misinformation as we move closer to the election. We need an informed voters and informed citizens. They will be able, if they have this information at their fingertips, to participate effectively.
Question: You mentioned earlier that the target of this technological intervention is the youths. Why is that so?
Idowu: The reason is simple. For instance, it’s easier for the youth because it is a technology, a tech-base, an artificial intelligence and this is what the young people of our time appreciate so much. So, it’s more or less like giving the young people the instrument they are familiar with to get the information across to them. You know, if you give the adults this, they may even struggle with some of them because are even still struggling to operate their Android phones. But, the young people, they can easily get information and, of course, because it uses artificial intelligence, it makes it interesting for young people.
Let me tell you – if you pick the Constitution or the INEC guideline in the book format, it’s very boring and you may not want to read. But putting it in a digital format using an artificial intelligence on your phone that you can interact with, you speak your language and in interacts with you in your language, it makes it more interesting for the young people to use.
Question: The platform has just been unveiled to citizens in Anambra at this critical time. What’s your message for the people especially the youth on its usage?
Idowu: So, basically, I think I have two messages. Number one is, – you already have a platform, an instrument that you can use, and now you don’t have any excuse for ignorance. So, you need to really understand what the election process is all about, what the landscape is all about. So, that information is there. Anambra people should use it.
Number two is, the major battle people are fighting all over the world is misinformation. Now, Anambra people have a tool that can actually curb misinformation, and then increase voter turnout. So, you have a platform that can give information, that can educate you, and that can also curb misinformation. It is time to take advantage of it so that there will be participation and good governance.
Question: You also talked about rising voter apathy in Anambra state. What will you have the stakeholders do to improve the situation?
Idowu: Yes, a lot the stakeholders can do. Number one is, we need to start reassuring. I mean, let’s start from the media. I mean the press has a lot to do in this respect. You know, whatever we are doing, how are we building confidence with the people? And I think during my presentation, somebody raised a very important question. He said, it is not about people didn’t want to come out, it is about because they are being discouraged. They are asking – will their votes count and things like that. So, we need that reassurance.
Things might not have been working the way we all want but many of us are still in Nigeria trying to make things work. But that is the same attitude we should have towards the election – let’s reassure the people. That is very critical because as of today, in Nigeria, there is no other option. Since 1999, we have embraced democracy, then we don’t have any other option. So, we must make it work.
So, we need to reassure people, stakeholders from our churches, from the mosque, from the radio, TV houses, from the newspapers. What we need to reassure the people is – look, we need to rebuild that confidence. Now, when we rebuild the confidence, when people are interested in participating, rigging becomes impossible. I keep saying this all the time – rigging is possible when the turnout is low.
But when people come out en masse, and the gap is much, and it’s overwhelming, it’s totally difficult. When the margin is so close, then you can then begin to move 500 votes here, and it makes the entire thing different. So, we need to assure people, we need to keep assuring people, stakeholders need to keep assuring people, and make people come out, and when they come out to participate, then everybody is happy for it.
