Traditional leaders mobilise FCT residents for voter registration

Traditional leaders in the Garki community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in collaboration with a grassroots mobilisation group, have intensified efforts to encourage eligible residents to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The initiative, which took place in Garki Village, Abuja, is aimed at increasing voter registration ahead of future elections, particularly among residents who may have missed previous registration exercises. Speaking during the mobilisation exercise, the Secretary of the Garki Traditional Council, Dr Lazarus Nuhu Nyaholo, who represented the paramount ruler and Chief of Garki Chiefdom, His Royal Highness Sa’Peyi Alhaji (Dr) Usman Nga Kup, said the exercise was designed to make voter registration more accessible to residents. “The democratic process is the business of every citizen. It is a right every citizen should exercise, but some people may not have access or the opportunity to register during earlier exercises,” he said. Nyaholo said traditional leaders had engaged district and village heads across the community to sensitise residents and encourage them to obtain their voter cards. He noted that while voter apathy is often cited as a challenge in the FCT, migration during election periods also contributes to low voter turnout, as many residents travel to their states of origin to cast their votes. According to him, citizens who participate in the electoral process are better positioned to demand accountability from elected leaders. The traditional council secretary also expressed concern over what he described as the marginalisation of indigenous residents of the FCT, particularly in terms of representation. He said stronger representation structures were needed to address issues affecting residents of the territory. Responding to concerns that the mobilisation exercise could be politically motivated, Nyaholo insisted that the initiative was non-partisan. “We mobilise people to exercise their franchise, not to vote for any particular person,” he said. Also speaking, a representative of The Game Changer Group (TGCG), Temidayo Kingheart, said the organisation partnered with community leaders and electoral officials to bring voter registration closer to residents. Kingheart described the group as a grassroots mobilisation platform committed to promoting democratic participation through voter education and improved access to registration. “One of the reasons some people do not register is inconvenience. We believe that if registration is brought closer to communities and business areas, more people will participate,” he said. He added that the group worked with community leaders and other stakeholders to identify accessible locations for registration activities. According to him, similar mobilisation efforts would be extended to other communities in the FCT, including Guzape, during the registration period. Kingheart said the organisation hopes to facilitate the registration of between 20,000 and 30,000 additional voters across communities where it operates. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently conducting the Continuous Voter Registration exercise at designated centres nationwide as part of preparations for future elections.