Voter registration is vital to democracy, says Oduduwa Development Initiative, as it urges Nigerians to support reforms and civic duty.
Voter Registration is essential to the future of Nigeria’s democracy, the Oduduwa Development Initiative (ODI) has said, urging all eligible citizens to take part in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
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The group’s appeal follows concerns raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over low turnout in several states, including Enugu, where only 1,801 fresh registrations were recorded in the first 15 days.
Speaking in Ibadan on Tuesday after an extended executive meeting, ODI President Akinyele Olasumbo described the figures as troubling and urged citizens not to waste the opportunity to shape the country’s democratic direction.
“We call on all citizens of voting age who have not registered to take advantage of the ongoing voters’ registration exercise.
Performing your civic duty is key to sustaining our democracy and supporting reforms,” Olasumbo said.
ODI also reaffirmed its support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which it described as a “strategic and transformational” blueprint capable of repositioning Nigeria socially and economically.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to move Nigeria from its current challenges to where it ought to be,” Olasumbo added.
“It is intended to change the way we think, conduct and see ourselves as a people with shared dreams and destiny.”
At the same meeting, the group recognised four key public officials for what it described as exemplary governance.
These include Kemi Nandap of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ahmed Audi of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Buba Marwa of the NDLEA, and JAMB Registrar, Prof Is-haq Oloyede.
The ODI praised their contributions to reform and public accountability. Marwa, for instance, was credited with transforming the NDLEA into a respected agency, with more than 48,000 arrests and the destruction of over 1,000 hectares of cannabis farms.
Oloyede was also recognised for bringing transparency and increased revenue to JAMB through strong internal reforms.
ODI stressed that while good governance is possible, it cannot thrive without active citizen involvement — beginning with voter registration.
“We need to ensure that reforms are backed by legitimacy.
That begins at the ballot box. Voter registration is the power every citizen holds to change Nigeria’s future,” the statement read.
INEC has repeatedly warned that low engagement could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
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ODI’s call may serve as a timely reminder that beyond complaints, action is what drives democracy forward.
