By Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya (Walin Sokoto), has urged all eligible residents of the state, particularly young people who are yet to register, to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise before its scheduled deadline.
Dan’iya also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the exercise by an additional two weeks, saying the extension would enable more eligible Nigerians to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the ADC governorship candidate described the PVC as the most powerful democratic tool through which citizens can participate in governance and determine the future of their communities.
He stressed that broad participation in the electoral process is essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that elected leaders remain accountable to the people.
Dan’iya noted that INEC had projected the ongoing registration exercise would add about 10 million new voters to the national register.
However, preliminary reports indicate that more than six million prospective voters have registered so far, while the Commission is expected to announce the final verified figure after completing biometric de-duplication and other statutory verification processes.
According to him, the difference between the projected and provisional figures highlights the need for additional time to allow eligible Nigerians who have not yet completed their registration to do so.
He called on parents and guardians to encourage and accompany their children and wards who have attained voting age to register before the exercise closes, emphasizing that the active participation of young people is crucial to the nation’s democratic future.
Dan’iya urged every eligible citizen to seize the opportunity to obtain a PVC and prepare to participate peacefully in future elections.
He further appealed to INEC to extend the Continuous Voter Registration exercise by two weeks to accommodate prospective voters who may have been unable to register due to work commitments, logistical difficulties, or the large turnout recorded at registration centres.
According to him, such an extension would deepen democratic participation and prevent eligible Nigerians from being disenfranchised ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC candidate reaffirmed that democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in the electoral process and called on the people of Sokoto State to embrace peaceful civic engagement.
He maintained that the ballot remains the constitutional means through which citizens can hold leaders accountable and shape the direction of governance, urging all eligible voters to secure their Permanent Voter Cards and contribute to building a more prosperous, secure, and accountable Nigeria.
