The Kaduna State Government has expressed concern over the low turnout of citizens in the ongoing voter registration exercise, just as he called on local government chairmen, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and the media to intensify mobilisation efforts.
The Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, who disclosed this in Kaduna on Thursday, said that Governor Uba Sani, as a democratic and inclusive leader, has directed pragmatic steps to ensure greater mobilisation of eligible voters for broader participation.
Maiyaki raised the concern in his opening remarks at a stakeholders’ meeting convened on Thursday, to review challenges facing the exercise and to chart strategies for improved turnout.
According to him, preliminary reports from the Independent National Electoral Commission indicated that Kaduna State and the North-West are lagging behind in registration figures.
DAILYPOST recalls that INEC resumed nationwide voter registration earlier this year as part of preparations for the upcoming elections.
The exercise, which includes the registration of new voters and the update of existing records, has faced challenges in several states, including inadequate registration machines, limited access to centres, and low public awareness.
However, while speaking, the commissioner noted that the development had already drawn the attention of the Federal Government.
He explained that the meeting was deliberately expanded to include council chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the media because of their strategic roles in mobilising citizens across diverse demographics.
“The government is deeply concerned about ensuring stronger citizen engagement in this exercise. This is not about partisanship; it is about encouraging all segments of society—youths, women, the elderly, and every gender group to participate actively in the democratic process”, Maiyaki said.
The commissioner commended some council chairmen who have already launched sensitisation campaigns in their localities, noting that the meeting provided a platform for sharing experiences and coordinated planning to achieve greater impact.
He further said the engagement was structured in two phases: an opening session with the media to highlight objectives and build momentum, followed by a technical session with council chairmen to harmonise grassroots mobilisation strategies
