The Toronto chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has voiced concern over reports indicating a poor level of voter registration across the South-East, urging Igbo people to actively participate in the process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal was contained in a statement released on Friday, the 23rd of January, 2026, by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Toronto, Canada, Anicetus Nwizundu.
Emphasising the importance of civic engagement, Nwizundu described voter registration as a critical tool for political relevance and regional representation, saying, “Registering to vote is not just a civic duty, it is a strategic move to ensure that our region’s interests are adequately represented at all levels of government federal, state, and local,” he stated.
He lamented figures from recent records which, according to him, show that the number of registered voters of Igbo extraction in the South-East is significantly lower than that of other regions in the country.
Nwizundu warned that such a trend poses a major challenge, as it weakens the zone’s influence and limits the benefits it can attract when key national decisions are being taken.
Highlighting the advantages of mass participation, he noted that an “Active electorate translates into a stronger bargaining power for our communities.
When more citizens are registered and vote, we can advocate more effectively for projects that uplift our region be it roads, hospitals, schools, or other critical social services.”
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He also called on governors of the South-East states to intensify mobilisation efforts, stressing that without deliberate awareness campaigns, voter registration numbers in the region would remain low.
In addition, he appealed to traders and business owners to suspend commercial activities on designated registration days to allow people to fully participate, adding that a lack of awareness often affects leadership choices and policy outcomes.
The Ohanaeze leader further encouraged Igbo communities in the diaspora, particularly those based in Canada, to assist by sensitising relatives and friends at home and supporting voter registration initiatives across Igboland.