Why Aren’t People Registering to Vote in the South East?

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that over 3.5 million Nigerians have completed online pre-registration in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

In a press release issued on Monday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, revealed that as of Sunday, September 7, 2025, a total of 3,544,850 Nigerians had registered online since the exercise began on August 18, 2025.

Osun, Lagos Lead in Registration Figures

A state-by-state breakdown shows that Osun tops the chart with 518,635 pre-registrants, followed by Lagos (440,647), Ogun (348,217), and Borno (296,409). Other notable figures include Kebbi (193,781), Kaduna (187,480), and the FCT (180,260).

However, the South-East states have recorded the lowest turnout, with Enugu at the bottom with just 1,203 registrants, followed by Ebonyi (1,616), and Abia (2,629). Analysts and political leaders have raised concerns over the poor participation in the region.

Concern Grows Over Low South-East Turnout

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed concern over the South-East’s low registration numbers. Speaking at an event in Imo State, El-Rufai emphasized the importance of voter registration, calling it a civic responsibility, not just a political obligation.

“The South-East, including Imo State, is lagging behind the rest of Nigeria in the CVR exercise. Voting is essential in a democracy. Registering to vote is a duty every citizen should take seriously,” he said.

El-Rufai urged parents, especially women, to mobilize their children aged 16 and above to register in preparation for future elections.

South-East Leaders Respond

Ugochukwu Agballah, Enugu State APC Chairman, said the situation was not yet alarming but cautioned against last-minute rushes.

“It’s still early in the process, but we’re urging people not to delay. If they wait until the last moment, we’ll face long queues and avoidable congestion,” he said.

Agballah called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and government institutions to intensify mobilization efforts, while also urging INEC to maintain a seamless and accessible registration process.

Analyst Attributes Apathy to Political Disillusionment

Nduka Odo, a political analyst and communications scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, attributed the low turnout in the South-East to deep-rooted political apathy.

“Many people in the region feel disconnected from the political system. This sentiment dates back to the post-Biafran civil war era and has led to a sustained feeling of marginalization,” he said.

Odo warned that continued indifference would weaken the region’s ability to influence national politics and called on political aspirants to re-engage the populace.

Rural Mobilization Underway – Lawmaker

Meanwhile, Malachy Onyechi, a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, said efforts are ongoing to raise awareness, particularly in rural areas. “Many rural residents may not even be aware of the CVR. We’re working on a grassroots campaign to change that,” he said.

Onyechi acknowledged that economic concerns often discourage participation but stressed that the region must take advantage of the registration window to boost its electoral influence.

South-West Takes the Lead

Meanwhile, the South-West region has emerged as the front-runner in the CVR exercise, with Osun, Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states among the top performers. States in the North are also ramping up mobilization efforts, while stakeholders continue to express concern over the South-East’s lagging participation. INEC is expected to continue its sensitization campaigns as the registration exercise progresses.