The Kano State government has declared its intention to register 10 million eligible voters ahead of the nationwide continuous voters’ registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In 2023, Kano ranked second among states with the highest number of registered voters, at 5,921,370, following Lagos, which had 7,060,195 voters, as declared by INEC.
Buoyant of its landscape and population, the government insisted Kano must register its physical strength through the democratic process with a massive eligible voters.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the task while officially inaugurating a 36-member Committee on Voter Registration and Civic Awareness, entrusted with mobilising residents to participate in the exercise.
Governor Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alh. Faruk Umar Ibrahim believed voter registration exercise is not only a civic responsibility but a compulsory duty upon which citizens determine who leads them.
Beyond the electoral volume, Governor Yusuf emphasised the government’s intention to deploy maximum efforts in voter registration for both developmental and security purposes.
The SSG disclosed that membership of the committee cut across all strata of people in the society, adding that the government has no political inclination in the composition of the membership.
“You must do everything possible to ensure eligible voters participate in the registration exercise. At the end of the exercise, we expect at least 10 million voters in Kano. The government is ready to support the committee to achieve that.
“The government is also challenging the committee to ensure nobody is denied the opportunity to register. We expect you to collaborate with INEC to ensure a smooth exercise, report to the government for appropriate action, and notify them of any lapses, especially on the part of INEC.
“You are expected to undertake rigorous enlightenment exercises across the 44 local government areas, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to achieve the objectives within the time limit.
“Identify challenges, and solutions, monitor and evaluate the exercise at all the polling units. You are also to ensure that voters’ cards are delivered and collected by citizens who registered”. SSG noted
Responding on behalf of the members, Chairman of the committee and Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiya, said the appointment is considered a call to service.
Comrade Waiya said, “We have considered the appointment as a call to service, and we would leave no stone unturned to achieve the objective. It is our conviction that Kano will continue to lead in the political landscape, and we would do everything possible to meet the target and beyond”.
