Leaders of community development groups in Southern Kaduna have sounded a red alert over what they describe as a worrying level of apathy in the ongoing voter registration exercise, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Operating under the umbrella of the Forum of Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations (CDAs), the groups announced an urgent, region-wide push to boost participation in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process.
Speaking during an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting in Kachia, the Forum’s Chairman, Dr. Samuel Achie, lamented the unimpressive turnout, warning that the region risks losing its political relevance if the trend continues unchecked.
The gathering, which brought together delegates from more than 54 ethnic nationalities, focused on strategies to reverse the low registration numbers and galvanise grassroots participation.
Achie urged community leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders to ramp up mobilisation efforts, stressing the need to surpass the voter registration figures recorded during the 2023 elections.
He cautioned that a large population without valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) translates into lost political leverage, describing it as a squandered opportunity to influence governance.
While acknowledging the leadership efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Forum chairman noted that the region must respond with overwhelming voter participation in the next electoral cycle.
He called on CDA leaders to return to their respective communities with a renewed mandate to drive awareness campaigns, including door-to-door sensitisation aimed at encouraging both registration and PVC collection.
According to him, voter registration remains the most legitimate pathway for citizens to elect leaders who genuinely reflect their aspirations and address their challenges.
Achie further emphasised that higher voter registration figures would significantly enhance the region’s negotiating strength in securing development projects, political representation, and federal attention.
He warned that failure to improve registration numbers could lead to widespread disenfranchisement, leaving many eligible voters excluded from the democratic process.
The chairman also pointed out that voter statistics are critical to development planning, noting that low PVC figures could undermine the region’s chances in resource distribution and constituency-based interventions.
He added that increased participation would particularly empower young people and women, giving them a stronger voice in shaping the future of their communities.
To ensure results, Achie directed all CDA chairmen to set up support centres for registration, partner closely with officials of the electoral body, and track progress at the ward level on a weekly basis.
“Our votes are our voice, and our PVCs are our power. We must not approach the 2027 elections from a position of weakness,” he said.
