Nigerians Told: Register to Vote, Support Ongoing Reforms

Nigerians Told: Register to Vote, Support Ongoing Reforms

The Oduduwa Development Initiative (ODI) has called on Nigerians, especially those of voting age, to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, stressing that democracy thrives when citizens perform their civic duties.

The appeal follows concerns raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over poor voter turnout in Enugu State, where only 1,801 fresh registrations were recorded within the first 15 days of the in-person exercise. INEC described the figure as “abysmal,” despite the nationwide rollout of the CVR on August 28.

In a statement issued on Tuesday after an extended executive meeting in Ibadan, ODI President, Akinyele Olasumbo, urged Nigerians to embrace voter registration as a means of strengthening democracy and supporting ongoing reforms in the country

“We call on all citizens of voting age who have not registered to take advantage of the ongoing voters’ registration exercise. Performing your civic duty is key to sustaining our democracy and supporting reforms,” Olasumbo said.

The group also reiterated its support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a strategic blueprint capable of transforming Nigeria’s economic and social landscape.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to move Nigeria from its current challenges to where it ought to be in the years ahead. It is intended to change the way we think, conduct and see ourselves as a people with common dreams, aspirations and destiny,” Olasumbo added.

At the meeting, ODI commended four public officials for what it described as exemplary leadership in line with the president’s vision. They include the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap; the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi; the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.); and the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.

The group noted that Nandap has repositioned the Immigration Service through reforms that boosted revenue and streamlined international passport processing, while Audi has strengthened grassroots security and advanced collaboration against illegal mining and oil bunkering.

Similarly, Marwa was praised for transforming the NDLEA into a globally respected institution, with over 48,000 arrests, the destruction of more than 1,000 hectares of cannabis farms, and the seizure of 7,561 tonnes of illicit drugs in the past four years. On his part, Oloyede was lauded for reforms that have improved transparency, credibility, and revenue generation at JAMB.

ODI maintained that the performance of these officials demonstrates that good governance is possible in Nigeria and urged citizens to play their part by registering to vote and supporting credible leadership.