Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed concern over turnout of people from the South-East to the ongoing voter registration exercise, saying the region is lagging behind.

Speaking at the Egbu Diocese in Imo State, El-Rufai said the region, including Imo, has fewer registered voters compared to other parts of the country.

He described voter registration as a civic duty that citizens must take seriously if democracy is to thrive.

El-Rufai, who is part of the opposition coalition of the African Democratic Party (ADC) aiming to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, charged parents, especially mothers, to encourage their children from the age of sixteen and above to get ready for registration once eligible.

He also urged youths to prioritise obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as part of their responsibility to the nation’s democratic process.

According to him, participation in elections begins with registration, and failure to do so undermines representation for the South-East in national decision-making.

He said, “The government of our country today is democratic. We elect our leaders, we don’t select them, we don’t appoint them. So voting is very important. Registering to vote is a civic duty. It is not a political imperative. It is a civic duty, which as a citizen you must take advantage of.

“Looking at the number of registered voters in Nigeria, the South East including Imo State is lagging behind. I want to appeal to you, our mothers, our sisters and our daughters that are here in this room to please take this up and get our children that are sixteen years and above, who would be eighteen years in two years and be ready to vote, to please go out and register for it. It is very, very important.” (Saturday Tribune)