Voter Apathy Persists in South-East, South-South Amid INEC’s CVR Exercise

On September 23, 2025, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported low turnout in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the South-East and South-South zones after five weeks, with the South-East recording 76,493 online and 22,991 physical registrations, and the South-South 280,904 online and 27,690 physical, compared to Osun State’s 578,904 online and 83,284 physical (Web:0, Web:1). The data, covering September 15–21 for online and September 15–19 for physical registration, shows the South-West leading with 1,640,685 online and 158,627 physical, followed by the North-West (Web:0). Anambra’s registration was suspended until after the November 8 governorship election (Web:0).

Reasons for Apathy: Stakeholders cited lack of faith in the electoral process, inadequate publicity, cumbersome procedures, and INEC distrust as key factors (Web:0, Web:2). Osun led with 393,269 online registrations, while Enugu trailed with 2,931 online and 426 physical (Web:0). Top performers include Osun, Borno, Lagos, Ogun, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kogi, FCT, Kano, and Oyo, while Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Plateau, Rivers, Cross River, Benue, Edo, Adamawa, and Niger lagged (Web:0). Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s John Azuta-Mbata urged Igbo participation, while Arewa Consultative Forum’s Tukur Baba encouraged registration (Web:0). Afenifere’s Jare Ajayi attributed delays to typical Nigerian procrastination and mistrust (Web:0). PANDEF’s Obiuwevbi Ominimini denied apathy in the South-South, calling for ward-level centers (Web:0).

Residents’ Views: Residents in Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi cited election manipulation, economic hardship, and unawareness as barriers (Web:0). Prof. Okey Oji of ESUT emphasized Igbo voting power for equitable representation (Web:0). Yiaga Africa’s Cynthia Mbamalu blamed poor publicity and overcrowding, advocating electoral reforms like electronic transmission (Web:0). International Press Centre’s Lanre Arogundade linked apathy to post-election neglect (Web:0). Middle Belt Forum’s Bitrus Pogu called for reforms to build trust (Web:0). X posts from @INECNigeria (September 23, 2025) urged registration, while @Naija_Activist noted 67% distrust in INEC (Afrobarometer, 2025) (Post:3). The trend risks low turnout in 2027 (Web:2).