Northern states have intensified voter mobilisation drives as the South continues to dominate online pre-registration in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
Figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday show that over 3.5 million Nigerians have pre-registered online since the commencement of the exercise on August 18, 2025.
According to INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, Osun leads with 518,635 registrations (14.63%), followed by Lagos (440,647; 12.43%) and Ogun (348,217; 9.82%). Borno recorded 296,409 (8.36%), while Kebbi, Kaduna, and the FCT posted 193,781 (5.47%), 187,480 (5.29%), and 180,260 (5.09%), respectively.
By contrast, Kano, one of the country’s most populous states, recorded just 66,091 registrations (1.86%), with Sokoto (54,084; 1.53%), Zamfara (32,784; 0.92%), and Plateau (32,000; 0.90%) reporting similarly modest figures.
Olumekun disclosed that youths aged 18–34 accounted for 64.65% (2,291,809) of total registrants, while students made up nearly 25% (882,441).
Mobilisation in the North
Worried by the disparity, governors and stakeholders across the North have launched aggressive mobilisation campaigns.
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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, assured that the state would not lag behind, inaugurating a Task Force on Mobilisation for Voter Registration to drive participation across LGAs.
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Zamfara State Government also announced a sensitisation committee led by the Deputy Governor to rally residents, citing widespread ignorance about the CVR.
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Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani, directed ministries and traditional leaders to ensure “no eligible citizen is left behind,” while Nasarawa Governor, Abdullahi Sule, lamented his state’s poor showing and urged communities to intensify efforts.
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In Kwara, officials and appointees have taken campaigns to rural areas, with Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, stressing direct community engagement.
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Yobe State partnered with MMB e-Campaign to train 200 youth volunteers to assist residents with online registration, while Gombe State pledged full collaboration with INEC to expand coverage.
In Benue, Governor Hyacinth Alia and state lawmakers are spearheading grassroots drives, while Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, appealed to residents to “seize the opportunity” to strengthen democratic participation.
Concerns Over Registration Figures
The surge in southern figures — particularly Osun’s — has drawn scrutiny from opposition parties. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) questioned the credibility of the numbers, demanding a forensic audit.
INEC, however, dismissed the claims. Its Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the parties’ suspicions reflected a poor understanding of registration patterns.
Beyond online entries, INEC reported that physical registrations, which began on August 25, have reached 288,614 nationwide.
The commission reiterated that only Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above are eligible, warning against underage registration.
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Political Implications
Analysts caution that the South’s consistent lead in voter registration could reshape the electoral map if northern states fail to close the gap before the exercise ends.
They note that with the 2027 general elections approaching, the mobilisation efforts unfolding across Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, and other northern states will prove decisive in balancing voter distribution nationwide.
