By AMEN GAJIRA

The Forum of Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations (CDAs) has declared a state of emergency on voter registration across the zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman of the Forum, Dr Samuel Achie, expressed concern over the low turnout in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, warning that it could weaken the political influence of the area.

Achie spoke at an expanded meeting of representatives of over 54 ethnic nationalities in Kachia.

He called for intensified mobilisation across Southern Kaduna, urging stakeholders to work towards increasing the number of registered voters beyond the figures recorded in 2023.

According to him, population strength without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) amounts to wasted political capital.

The chairman, while commending President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State for their leadership, said the zone should reciprocate with massive voter turnout in 2027.

He urged leaders of various CDAs to return to their communities and embark on aggressive sensitisation and door-to-door mobilisation for voter registration and PVC collection.

Achie highlighted the importance of the exercise, noting that voter registration remained the only legal means for citizens to elect leaders who understand their needs.

He added that high registration figures would strengthen the bargaining power of the zone in attracting development projects, political appointments and federal presence.

The chairman further said that increased registration would prevent disenfranchisement and ensure that eligible voters were not excluded from the electoral process.

He also noted that voter data plays a key role in development planning, stressing that low PVC figures could negatively affect resource allocation and constituency interventions.

Achie said that mass registration would empower youths and women to actively participate in shaping their future.

He directed all CDA chairmen to establish registration support desks, collaborate with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and monitor progress at the ward level on a weekly basis.

“Our votes are our voice, and our PVCs are our power. We must not approach the 2027 elections from a position of weakness,” he said. (NAN)