Northern CAN Tasks Nigerians On Voter Registration

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has urged Nigerians to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement yesterday, the chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said voter registration remains the first step for citizens who want their voices heard in governance.

He urged Nigerians to overcome doubts about the value of their votes, stressing that apathy only benefits politicians who exploit low turnout.

“Our votes count. If votes were useless, nobody would try to buy them. Nigerians must realise that real power lies in the ballot, not the money shared during elections.”

Hayab also called on religious leaders to sensitise members of their congregations and communities, describing faith-based platforms as effective for mass mobilisation.

He appealed to INEC to bring registration centres closer to rural and hard-to-reach areas to ease the process for prospective voters.

Rev. Hayab appealed to youths and women to take the exercise seriously, saying, “Selling your vote is selling your conscience and your future.”

He assured Northern CAN that it would continue working with churches, civil society groups, and community leaders to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind.

INEC’s online pre-registration portal opened on August 18, while physical registration began on August 25 and will continue until August 30, 2026, at its 811 state and local government offices nationwide.