The ongoing voter registration exercise presents Nigerians with yet another critical opportunity to strengthen democracy and determine the future of governance.
It is not just a routine civic process; it is the foundation upon which credible elections and accountable leadership are built.
Registering to vote is the first and most important step in shaping the political destiny of the nation. Without voter registration, there can be no meaningful participation in the electoral process.
Citizens who fail to register effectively silence their voices in the choice of leaders and the policies that will govern their lives.
It is, therefore, imperative for every eligible Nigerian, especially young people who form the majority of the population, to take this exercise seriously. Complaining about bad leadership while refusing to register or vote is a contradiction.
A functioning democracy requires active participation, not passive observation.
Equally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must redouble its efforts to ensure the exercise is smooth, transparent, and accessible.
This means providing adequate registration centres, trained personnel, functional machines, and a secure environment for all registrants. State governments, civil society groups, political parties, and community leaders must also play their part in mobilizing citizens.
The message is simple: registration is power. It empowers citizens to choose their leaders, hold them accountable, and influence the direction of public policy.
Those who ignore the exercise surrender their rights to others who will make the decisions on their behalf.
As the drums of another election season sound louder, let every eligible Nigerian seize this opportunity. Democracy cannot thrive without voters, and there can be no voters without registration.
