The Nigeria Alive Conscience Movement (NACM) has inaugurated its State Executive Council and Local Government Coordinators for five local government areas in the Plateau Central Zone, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots civic engagement and democratic participation.
The ceremony, held on Saturday, February 28, at Fajib Hotel in Jos, marked what the group described as a major milestone in consolidating its leadership structure and expanding its presence across Plateau State.
NACM, a non-partisan civic organization, is committed to promoting good governance, accountability, transparency, and inclusive development in Nigeria. The movement seeks to mobilize citizens and leaders to uphold the principles of integrity and justice in public life.
In his keynote address, Plateau State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Chief Ephraim Usman Gar, described the inauguration as timely and commendable. He said the event signaled growing civic awareness and renewed dedication to democratic responsibility among citizens.
He emphasized on the critical role citizens play in sustaining democracy which is a collective responsibility and not the exclusive preserve of politicians.
“Democracy should not be left solely for those who call themselves politicians; everyone is a politician, from the point of registration to voting. If we all come out to register and vote, our votes will count, and that is how we can produce leaders who genuinely have the interest of the common man at heart,” he said.
The commissioner further stressed that meaningful participation in governance begins with voter registration and must be followed by voting on election day. He expressed concern over low voter turnout in previous elections and noted that civic movements like NACM are well-positioned to address the challenge.
During the event, Emmanuel Kwaja, from the Voter education unit at INEC in Plateau State, conducted a sensitization session on the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Speaking on the topic “The power of your vote” He explained that participation in elections begins with registration and urged citizens to take advantage of the CVR window.
Kwaja underscored the power of the vote as a conscious choice that gives citizens a voice in governance. He called on the newly inaugurated executives and coordinators to mobilize communities at the grassroots level to register, vote, and actively engage in the democratic process.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of NACM, Ambassador Lokrit Thomas, described Plateau State as strategically important within Nigeria’s political landscape and said the inauguration of the Plateau Central Zone leadership marked a pivotal moment for the movement.
He revealed that NACM has identified strong voter interest across the zone and remains committed to sustaining civic engagement through voter education initiatives. Warning against voter apathy, Thomas said the movement would intensify sensitization efforts ahead of future elections.
“We will continue to sensitize citizens through symposia, market outreaches, and collaborations with INEC in churches, mosques, markets, and motor parks across the five local government areas in the central zone. Our goal is to ensure people do not give up on the democratic process,” he said.
Administering the oath of office, Barrister Moses Garba Yusuph described the pledge as a solemn and sacred commitment rather than a mere formality. He charged the newly inaugurated leaders to see the oath as binding their conscience to the organization, the nation, and to God, urging them to serve with honesty and integrity.
Leading other state executives in the acceptance of leadership, Barrister Adamu Kwaltamai described NACM as a national platform focused on promoting good governance and accountability. He said the movement seeks to remind citizens of their responsibility to question leadership and demand answers that reflect the needs of their communities.
Kwaltamai emphasized that NACM’s mission goes beyond mobilizing votes to ensuring that votes are properly counted and recorded, noting that credible elections are essential to national development.
“This movement is to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians, to encourage those of voting age to register, vote, and ensure their votes count. We are also committed to identifying individuals with a genuine desire to serve their communities and advance good governance in our country,” he said.
He added that the inauguration represents a foundational step toward coordinated action across Plateau State, expressing confidence that collaboration with INEC has enhanced the movement’s credibility. He assured members that further engagements and grassroots outreach initiatives would be rolled out in the coming months.
The event concluded with several facilitated sessions designed to equip both state and local government executives with strategies for engaging citizens effectively. The group also announced plans to expand and launch its structure across other states in Nigeria in the coming months.
