The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) on Monday urged Nigerians who have attained the voting age to participate in the ongoing voter’s registration exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NPSA equally called on eligible voters who had lost their voter cards to re-register to enable them participate in the 2027 general elections.
The NPSA made the appeal in a statement signed by its president, Professor Hassan Saliu and made available to newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State.
It noted that “while the current political landscape may not meet expectations of Nigerians for rapid development, abandoning the democratic process may not be the solution”.
It recalled that “INEC, despite having 93.47 million registered voters before the 2023 elections, the figure pales in comparison to improved voter participation and engagement, which stood at 24.9 million, representing about 30 per cent of the registered voters after the round of presidential elections in 2023.
“The voter turnout rates at presidential elections were approximately 36.75% in 2015, but plummeted to approximately 34.74% in 2019 and 26.72% in 2023.
“Indeed, the disappointing figure for the participatory level in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election underscores the need for increased civic participation.”
Saliu said the announced programme of pre-physical online registration and in-person registration procedures present an opportunity for more Nigerians to participate in the electoral process.
He noted that by leveraging technology and improving voter registration, INEC can enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
“The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) recognises that citizens’ disillusionment with politicians’ self-interest and unfulfilled promises contributes to their withdrawal from the electoral process. However, democracy is a collective endeavour that benefits not only the current generation but also future ones.
“The active participation of citizens can shape the future through forward-thinking policies and programmes,” Prof. Aliu maintained.
He charged Nigerians on sustaining engagement and participation as essential for achieving meaningful governance outcomes. “Democracy is a continuous process that holds the potential for change, requiring collective effort and commitment to yield tangible results.
“We, therefore, call on Nigerians to embrace the programme as the first leg in participatory democracy. The role of citizens is crucial, as the possession of voter’s cards would ultimately qualify them to vote during elections.
“In the long run, they will transform into an electorate with more stakes in the electoral process than just being voters”.
