The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has called on Nigerians to take full advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, stressing that voter registration is the foundation of effective participation in governance.
This appeal was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, who reminded citizens that democracy thrives only when the people actively engage in the electoral process.
“Your Votes Count” — Hayab
Rev. Hayab dismissed widespread doubts about the relevance of votes in Nigeria’s elections, insisting that voter apathy only strengthens 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,” he said.
The cleric further appealed to religious leaders across faiths to use their platforms for civic sensitisation, describing places of worship as powerful avenues for mass mobilisation.
INEC’s Registration Drive
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened its online pre-registration portal on August 18, 2025, with physical registration following on August 25, 2025. The exercise will run until August 30, 2026, across INEC’s 811 offices nationwide.
According to the Commission, more than 1.3 million Nigerians registered online within the first week, with youths between ages 18 and 34 accounting for the majority. The CVR process accommodates fresh registration, transfer of polling units, and replacement of lost or damaged cards. INEC also reiterated that multiple registrations remain illegal.
Rev. Hayab urged INEC to bring registration centres closer to people in rural and hard-to-reach communities to ensure inclusivity.
Youths and Women Targeted for Mobilisation
Particularly addressing young people and women, Rev. Hayab encouraged them to see the process as an act of 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 warned.
Northern CAN assured that it would continue working with churches, civil society organisations, and local leaders to ensure no eligible citizen is excluded from the registration exercise.
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