Participate In Ongoing Voter Registration, CAN Urges Nigerians
The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has urged Nigerians to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Hayab, in a statement on Wednesday, said voter registration is the first step for citizens who want their voices to count in governance.
He urged Nigerians to overcome doubts about the value of their votes, stressing that voter apathy only empowers politicians who thrive on 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,” Hayab stated.
The cleric also called on religious leaders across faiths to intensify sensitisation in congregations and communities, noting that faith-based platforms remain effective for mass mobilisation.
Hayab further appealed to INEC to bring registration centres closer to rural and hard-to-reach areas to ease the process for prospective voters.
INEC had announced that its online pre-registration portal opened on August 18, 2025, while physical registration commenced on August 25, 2025. The exercise will run until August 30, 2026, across its 811 state and local government offices nationwide.
According to the Commission, over 1.3 million Nigerians completed their online pre-registration within the first week, with youths aged 18 to 34 constituting the majority of applicants.
INEC reminded the public that the CVR covers fresh registration, transfer of voting locations, and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, while warning that multiple registrations remain illegal.
Rev. Hayab particularly urged youths and women to embrace the exercise with seriousness and patriotism.
“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 cautioned.
He assured that Northern CAN would continue to work with churches, civil society organisations, and community leaders to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is left behind in the registration process.