The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has called on Nigerians to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, stressed that voter registration is the first step for citizens determined to make their voices heard in governance.
He dismissed doubts about the value of individual votes, warning that political apathy only empowers leaders who thrive on low voter turnout.
“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 religious leaders across all faiths to intensify sensitisation within their congregations, noting that faith-based platforms remain vital for grassroots mobilisation.
He also appealed to INEC to establish more registration centres in rural and hard-to-reach areas to ease the process for prospective voters.
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According to INEC, the online pre-registration portal opened on August 18, 2025, while physical registration began on August 25, 2025. The exercise, which runs until August 30, 2026, is ongoing at the Commission’s 811 state and local government offices nationwide.
INEC further revealed that more than 1.3 million Nigerians completed their online pre-registration in the first week, with youths between ages 18 and 34 forming the majority. The commission reminded citizens that the CVR covers fresh registration, transfer of voting locations, and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, while warning that multiple registrations remain illegal.
Rev. Hayab particularly encouraged youths and women to seize the opportunity, warning against vote selling.
“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,” he added.
Northern CAN pledged continued collaboration with churches, civil society organisations, and community leaders to ensure no eligible voter is left out of the registration process.