Our Votes Are Our Voice’ – Southern Kaduna Leaders Sound Alarm Over Low Voter Registration, Declare Emergency

By: Abubakar Labaran

The Forum of Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations (CDAs) has declared a state of emergency on voter registration across the zone. The Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Samuel Achie, raised concerns over the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, warning that low turnout could weaken the political voice of the area ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during an expanded meeting of over 54 ethnic nationalities under his leadership, held recently in Kachia, Dr. Achie stressed the need for robust mobilization from the southern part of Kaduna State. He noted that the area must work deliberately to double the votes it produced in 2023, adding that population strength without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) translates to wasted political capital.

While appreciating the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Dr. Achie said Southern Kaduna owes them “a rain of votes in 2027” as reciprocity for their inclusion and developmental attention. He charged leaders of the various CDAs to return to their communities and intensify door-to-door mobilization for PVC registration and collection.

Outlining the importance of the exercise, Dr. Achie enumerated five key benefits of voter registration:

First, it is the only legal ticket to choose leaders who understand the peculiar needs of Southern Kaduna. Second, high registration figures strengthen the bargaining power of the zone in demanding projects, appointments, and federal presence. Third, it protects communities from disenfranchisement, ensuring that voices are not silenced by technical exclusion.

Fourth, voter registration data drives planning and development; population figures with low PVC numbers reduce the area’s priority in resource allocation, constituency projects, and social interventions. Fifth, massive registration empowers youths and women, who form the bulk of the population, to decide their future rather than watch from the sidelines.

Dr. Achie directed all CDA chairmen to set up registration help desks, partner with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, and monitor ward-level progress weekly.

“Our votes are our voice. Our PVCs are our power. We will not negotiate from a position of weakness in 2027,” he declared.