…Over 764,000 Nigerians Register Ahead of 2027 Elections
… South-East Trails Behind Despite Mobilization Efforts
….Massive Awareness Campaign Drove Osun’s CVR Success — REC
Daud Olatunji
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released fresh statistics on ongoing voter registration across the country, showing that over 764,000 Nigerians have so far completed the process.
The data reveals significant disparities across states, with Osun, Borno, Kano, and Sokoto emerging as leading states in terms of new registrants.
According to the data released by the INEC on Monday and obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, a total of 399,162 applicants completed their registration online, while 365,533 completed theirs through physical registration, bringing the overall total to 764,695.
… Massive Awareness Campaign Drove Osun’s CVR Success — REC
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Osun State recorded the highest figure nationwide, with 85,091 completed registrations, representing 11.13 per cent of the total national figure.
Reacting to the success story, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, attributed the state’s outstanding performance in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to early and strategic stakeholder engagement.
Speaking on the factors behind the turnout, Agboke said Osun’s proactive measures set it apart from other states, stressing that awareness campaigns were rolled out two months before the commencement of the exercise.
When asked about the secret behind the successrecirded in Osun State, Agboke said “the main secret could be attributable to our earliest commencement of awareness and engagement of stakeholders.
“We started two months to the commencement of CVR. We had quarterly regular stakeholders’ meetings. We carried the gospel of CVR to the royal fathers, including the Orangun of Ila, Kabiyesi Olowu of Owu Kuta, and the Kabiyesi Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland,” he stated.
The REC explained that the commission also leveraged religious institutions, transport unions, markets, and the media to reach the grassroots.
“We went to Muslim worship centres and Christian communities. We went to NURTW members and market places with the help of corps members, who we named INEC Ambassadors. We also reached out to various media houses for engagement,” he said.
According to Agboke, collaboration with the Justice, Development and Peace Movement (JDPMC) Diocese of Osogbo was instrumental, as the Catholic social organ consistently funded a one-hour radio programme dedicated to voter education.
He added that INEC further engaged security agencies to guarantee safety during the registration process, while road shows were organised to create massive public awareness across the state.
“I must sincerely confess that it was a massive awareness we created, and no wonder the turnout was huge,” Agboke declared.
Osun State has consistently ranked among the top performers in the nationwide voter registration exercise, a development many observers now link to what Agboke described as deliberate, sustained, and community-driven mobilisation
Agboke, reminded Nigerians of the importance of participating in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
He stressed that voter registration remains the first step to exercising democratic rights, warning that those without their names on the voters’ register would be unable to choose leaders of their choice.
“The message to the voters is simple: without your names on the register, you cannot elect your preferred candidate,” he said.
He added that neglecting the process amounted to abandoning a vital civic duty and undermining accountability in governance.
“Participation in the electoral process is not optional. It is the only way citizens can hold government accountable and track its performance,” the REC stated.
In the South-West, Ogun State followed with 23,107 (3.02%), while Lagos, curiously missing from the latest breakdown, is expected to record a significant number in subsequent updates.
… North-East, North-West Dominance
Borno State recorded 43,645 new registrants (5.71%), the highest in the North-East, despite its security challenges. Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state, accounted for 38,690 (5.06%), while Sokoto followed closely with 36,039 (4.71%).
Kogi State also featured strongly with 30,899 (4.04%), while Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Zamfara maintained robust turnouts with figures above 20,000 each.
… South-South, South-East Lag Behind
In the South-South, Delta State led with 21,614 (2.83%), while Bayelsa surprisingly recorded 13,000 (1.70%), despite being one of the least populated states. Edo and Cross River trailed with 8,704 (1.14%) and modest figures respectively.
The South-East continues to show low turnout in the exercise. Imo State, however, made a strong showing with 29,459 (3.85%), while Enugu and Abia recorded paltry numbers — 3,345 (0.44%) and 2,775 (0.36%) respectively.
Anambra was listed as N/A, suggesting possible technical delays or pending updates from the state office.
… FCT stands out
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) registered 20,477 (2.68%), a figure higher than several states, reflecting its cosmopolitan nature and political significance.
Pre-Registration Numbers: Osun, Lagos, Borno Dominate
Alongside completed registrations, INEC also disclosed that 5,385,060 Nigerians have pre-registered online.
Here, Osun again led with 578,904 (10.75%), followed by Lagos with 530,180 (9.85%) and Borno with 561,666 (10.43%). Other strong performers include Kaduna with 311,908 (5.79%), Kogi with 266,780 (4.95%), and the FCT with 227,399 (4.22%).
On the other end, states like Ondo (12,821; 0.24%), Ekiti (5,648; 0.10%), and Ebonyi (91,325; 1.70%) recorded significantly low pre-registration figures, raising concerns about voter apathy.
… Pre-Registration Numbers: Osun, Lagos, Borno Dominate
Alongside completed registrations, INEC also disclosed that 5,385,060 Nigerians have pre-registered online.
Here, Osun again led with 578,904 (10.75%), followed by Lagos with 530,180 (9.85%) and Borno with 561,666 (10.43%).
Other strong performers include Kaduna with 311,908 (5.79%), Kogi with 266,780 (4.95%), and the FCT with 227,399 (4.22%).
On the other end, states like Ondo (12,821; 0.24%), Ekiti (5,648; 0.10%), and Ebonyi (91,325; 1.70%) recorded significantly low pre-registration figures, raising concerns about voter apathy.
… What It Means For 2027 .Elections
Observers note that the uneven distribution of voter registration reflects both population density and political mobilization across the regions.
With Osun, Borno, Kano, and Sokoto recording the highest engagement so far, analysts suggest that parties are already gearing up for the 2027 general elections.
Civil society organisations have, however, expressed concern over the poor figures in the South-East, warning that it may further deepen voter apathy and reduce the zone’s bargaining power in national politics.
INEC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has the opportunity to register before the exercise closes.
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