The Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya (Walin Sokoto), has called on all eligible residents of Sokoto State, particularly young people who are yet to register, to take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise before its scheduled deadline tomorrow. He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider extending the exercise by an additional two weeks to enable more eligible Nigerians to exercise their constitutional right to register as voters.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Hon. Dan’iya said the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) remains the most effective democratic instrument through which citizens can participate in governance and determine the future of their communities. He noted that broad participation in the electoral process is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that government remains accountable to the people.
The ADC gubernatorial candidate observed that available reports indicate INEC had projected that the ongoing registration exercise would add about 10 million new voters to the national register. However, preliminary reports suggest that more than six million prospective voters have so far registered, while the Commission is expected to announce the final verified figure after completing biometric de-duplication and other statutory verification processes. He said the gap between the projected and provisional figures demonstrates the need to provide additional time for eligible Nigerians who have not yet completed their registration.
Hon. Dan’iya appealed to parents and guardians to encourage and accompany their children and wards who have attained the voting age to register before the exercise closes, stressing that active participation of young people in the democratic process is vital to the future of the country. He said every eligible citizen should seize the opportunity to obtain a PVC and prepare to participate peacefully in future elections.
He further urged INEC to consider extending the Continuous Voter Registration exercise by two weeks to accommodate prospective voters who may have been unable to register due to work schedules, logistical challenges, or the large turnout recorded at registration centres. According to him, such an extension would deepen democratic participation and ensure that more Nigerians are not disenfranchised ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hon. Dan’iya reaffirmed that democracy flourishes when citizens actively participate in the electoral process and called on the people of Sokoto State to embrace peaceful civic engagement. He emphasized that the ballot remains the constitutional means through which citizens can hold leaders accountable and determine the direction of governance. He urged all eligible voters to secure their Permanent Voter Cards and remain committed to building a more prosperous, secure, and accountable Nigeria through active participation in the democratic process.
