No fewer than 10,000 eligible prospective voters have taken a decisive step toward shaping Nigeria’s democratic future, participating in a six-day mega Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise held at the Kofar Mata Indoor Sports Complex.
Chairman of the Taskforce on Voter Registration and Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, disclosed this on Monday at the close of the exercise, describing the turnout as encouraging but stressing the urgent need for even greater public participation.
According to him, the exercise recorded an average of 1,500 registrants daily during the first five days, with a notable surge on the final day when over 2,000 people were captured.
While commending the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Abdu S. Zango, Waiya praised the professionalism and diligence demonstrated by officials throughout the exercise.
However, he emphasized that the success recorded should serve as a wake-up call for all eligible citizens who are yet to register.
“The Permanent Voter Card (PVC) remains the most powerful tool for citizens to influence governance and demand accountability. Every eligible individual must take advantage of this opportunity before the deadline,” he said.
Waiya reminded the public that the CVR exercise will continue until August 2026 across all INEC offices in the 44 local government areas of the state, urging residents not to wait until the last minute.
He further highlighted the critical role played by student volunteers from nine tertiary institutions, whose support in online pre-registration significantly boosted the exercise’s success.
As part of efforts to deepen voter inclusion, the commissioner assured that the taskforce would develop strategies to reach underserved communities and mobilize wider participation, particularly among youths and first-time voters.
Earlier, INEC Head of ICT, Edwin Ocheka, expressed optimism about the commission’s readiness to sustain the momentum, assuring that officials remain committed to delivering efficient and transparent services.
With thousands already registered, stakeholders say the next phase must focus on awareness, accessibility, and urgency, ensuring that no eligible voter is left behind in the journey toward a more inclusive and participatory democracy.
