The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has urged Nigerians to actively participate in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise currently being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement on Wednesday, Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN, described voter registration as the first step for citizens who want their voices to count in governance.
“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,” Hayab stated.
The cleric challenged Nigerians to overcome doubts about the value of their votes, warning that voter apathy only strengthens politicians who benefit from low turnout. He also called on religious leaders across all faiths to use their platforms for mass sensitisation and mobilisation.
Hayab further appealed to INEC to establish registration centres closer to rural and hard-to-reach communities to make the process easier for prospective voters.
INEC recently announced that its online pre-registration portal opened on August 18, 2025, while physical registration began on August 25, 2025, and will run until August 30, 2026, across its 811 state and local government offices nationwide. According to INEC, over 1.3 million Nigerians have completed online pre-registration within the first week, with youths aged 18 to 34 making up the majority of applicants.
The CVR covers fresh registration, transfer of voting locations, and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, while multiple registrations remain illegal.
Rev. Hayab urged youths and women in particular to approach the exercise with seriousness and patriotism.
“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 said.
Hayab assured that Northern CAN will continue collaborating with churches, civil society organisations, and community leaders to ensure no eligible Nigerian is left behind in the registration process.
