Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has raised the alarm over the poor turnout recorded during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, calling on all stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilisation as the second phase gets underway.
The Governor made the call on Wednesday during a sensitisation and advocacy engagement organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the Delta State Government at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori described the turnout as disappointing, noting that the 76,000 registrants recorded in the first phase fell far short of expectations for a state of Delta’s population and political awareness.
“The figures from the first phase of the CVR are far below what we should be recording as a state,” the Governor said. “Seventy-six thousand registrants do not reflect the population strength, political maturity, and democratic consciousness of Delta State.”
He stressed that voter registration is the bedrock of democratic participation and a prerequisite for credible and inclusive elections.
“Voter registration is the gateway to democracy. Without registering, citizens exclude themselves from participating in governance and shaping the future of the state and the country,” he added.
Governor Oborevwori called on traditional rulers, political parties, religious organisations, civil society groups, youth and women associations, market unions, and the media to take full ownership of the CVR campaign by taking the message directly to the grassroots.
He made a special appeal to young people and first-time voters, describing them as critical to the sustenance of democracy.
“Our youths are the future of democracy. I urge them to seize this opportunity to register and make their voices count,” he said.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for INEC to carry out its constitutional duties and expressed optimism that the second phase of the exercise would witness a significant improvement.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said the sensitisation engagement was organised in response to growing voter apathy and declining civic participation.
“While INEC conducts elections, the responsibility of participating in the democratic process lies with the citizens,” Emu said. “Those who fail to register and vote ultimately forfeit the moral right to complain about governance outcomes.”
In his presentation, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sir Etekamba Udoh Umoren, outlined the process and timeline of the first phase of the CVR, which began with online pre-registration in August 2025 and was followed by physical registration at local government offices, as well as the display of the voters register for claims and objections in line with the Electoral Act 2022.
He explained that the CVR exercise caters for first-time voters, those who missed previous registrations, applicants seeking correction of personal details, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and individuals wishing to transfer their registration.
Announcing that the second phase of the CVR commenced on January 5, 2026, the REC emphasised the civic importance of the exercise.
“Voter registration is not just an administrative process; it is a civic duty and a cornerstone of democracy,” Umoren said.
He cautioned against electoral offences such as multiple registrations and the provision of false information, warning that such acts attract legal sanctions, while assuring stakeholders of INEC’s commitment to neutrality, transparency, and a peaceful exercise.
The sensitisation programme, which featured a road walk led by Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, was attended by key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; Hon. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency; members of the State House of Assembly and Executive Council; traditional rulers, market women, civil society organisations, community leaders, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among others.
