The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), representing the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, has called on citizens to actively engage in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement released on Wednesday, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN, emphasized that voter registration is a vital step for Nigerians seeking to influence governance and national development.
“Our votes count. If votes were useless, no one would attempt to buy them. Nigerians should understand that the real power lies in the ballot and not in money shared during elections,” Rev. Hayab said.
He urged citizens to reject political apathy and recognize the importance of their participation in the democratic process.
Hayab also appealed to religious leaders across all faiths to use their platforms to educate and mobilize their congregations, describing faith-based institutions as effective tools for mass sensitization.
The cleric further called on INEC to expand access to registration centres, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to ensure inclusivity and ease of access for prospective voters.
According to INEC, the online pre-registration portal opened on August 18, 2025, followed by physical registration on August 25.
The exercise is scheduled to run until August 30, 2026, across the Commission’s 811 offices nationwide. INEC reported that over 1.3 million Nigerians completed online pre-registration in the first week, with the majority being youths aged 18 to 34.
The Commission reiterated that the CVR process includes new registrations, transfers of voting locations, and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards. It also warned against multiple registrations, which remain illegal.
Rev. Hayab encouraged young people and women to approach the exercise with patriotism and seriousness, stating,
“Selling your vote is selling your conscience and your tomorrow. We must reject inducements and stand firm for a Nigeria built on justice, peace, and progress.”
Northern CAN reaffirmed its commitment to working with churches, civil society organizations, and community leaders to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is excluded from the registration process.
