A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the 2027 general elections, Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley, has expressed concern over the low participation of eligible Nigerians in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, urging citizens to take advantage of the extension granted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to a report by The Guardian, Kingsley made the appeal in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the leadership of the YMK Nigeria Project Movement, warning that many eligible Nigerians had yet to register despite INEC extending the exercise by two weeks.
The electoral commission recently extended the Continuous Voter Registration exercise until July 26, 2026, to enable more eligible Nigerians register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While commending INEC for the extension, Kingsley described the public response as disappointing, warning that low participation could deny millions of qualified Nigerians their constitutional right to vote.
He urged all eligible citizens to use the remaining days of the exercise to register and prepare to participate in shaping the country’s future through the ballot.
According to him, the final days of the registration exercise represent “a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”
Kingsley, who is challenging the outcome of the PRP presidential primary conducted on May 25, which produced former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as the party’s presidential candidate, described the extension as a rare opportunity that should not be wasted.
“Every eligible Nigerian who truly desires positive change must understand that voting begins with registration. Without registering, there can be no Permanent Voter Card, and without a Permanent Voter Card, there can be no vote,” he said.
The PRP aspirant argued that Nigeria’s future should not be determined by only a small segment of the population while millions of eligible citizens remain outside the electoral process.
He called on young Nigerians who have attained the age of 18, women, students, artisans, professionals, farmers, traders and persons living with disabilities to visit the nearest INEC registration centres before the deadline.
“The Permanent Voter Card is not merely a document. It is the democratic instrument through which citizens peacefully determine the quality of leadership that governs them. It is the voice of the people expressed through lawful democratic means,” he stated.
Kingsley further noted that Nigeria continues to face economic hardship, unemployment, inflation, insecurity, poverty, declining educational standards and inadequate healthcare services, stressing that these challenges should encourage greater civic participation rather than political apathy.
He maintained that many of the country’s challenges could be addressed through the emergence of credible leaders elected by an informed and active electorate.
“The solution to many of our national challenges lies not in violence, hatred or despair, but in peaceful democratic participation. Nigerians must use the ballot to elect competent, visionary, transparent and patriotic leaders who genuinely place national interest above personal ambition,” he said.
The communiqué also reaffirmed the commitment of the YMK Nigeria Project Movement to peaceful politics, issue based campaigns, youth empowerment, national unity, social justice and institutional reforms.
It urged political actors to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, reject electoral violence and conduct their activities peacefully as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.
Kingsley expressed confidence that Nigeria possesses the human and natural resources required to achieve sustainable development under transparent and accountable leadership, adding that meaningful change would only come through active participation in the democratic process.
He concluded by urging Nigerians not to wait until the registration exercise closes before obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards.
“Register today. Obtain your Permanent Voter Card. Prepare to vote. Participate in shaping the future of Nigeria. Your vote is your power, and your Permanent Voter Card is your democratic weapon,” he said.
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