Northern CAN Urges Nigerians to Participate in Voter Registration

Also Read

 

 The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has urged citizens to take active part in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said voter registration is the first step for Nigerians determined to make their voices heard in governance. He dismissed doubts about the impact of voting, warning that political apathy only benefits those who exploit low turnout.

“Our votes count. If votes were useless, no one would attempt to buy them. Nigerians should understand that the real power lies in the ballot and not in money shared during elections,” Rev. Hayab said.

He appealed to religious leaders of all faiths to intensify sensitisation within congregations and communities, describing faith-based platforms as effective tools for mass mobilisation. He also called on INEC to make registration centres more accessible, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

According to INEC, the online pre-registration portal opened on August 18, while physical registration commenced on August 25 and will run until August 30, 2026, across its 811 state and local government offices. The Commission disclosed that over 1.3 million Nigerians completed their online registration in the first week, with youths aged 18 to 34 making up the majority.

Rev. Hayab particularly urged young people and women to participate actively in the exercise. “Selling your vote is selling your conscience and your tomorrow. We must reject inducements and stand firm for a Nigeria built on justice, peace, and progress,” he said.

Northern CAN pledged to continue working with churches, civil society groups, and community leaders to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of the registration process.