Obi Calls for Extended Voter Registration Before 2027 Elections

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing voter registration period to the latest practical date before the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi emphasized that this extension is crucial to ensure that more eligible Nigerians, particularly young people who turn 18, are not excluded from participating in the electoral process.

He referenced a Federal High Court judgment from November 22, 2022, in the case of Anaja Salmat & 3 Others v. INEC, which stated that voter registration should continue until 90 days before a general election to protect the voting rights of eligible citizens.

Obi acknowledged the challenges faced by INEC in delivering credible elections but stressed the importance of maximizing participation in the democratic process. He urged the commission to adopt a registration timeline that maintains the integrity of the electoral process while preventing unnecessary disenfranchisement of eligible voters.