Photo: Hon. Bassey Akiba
By: Ndidi Okafor
The lawmaker representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency, Rep. Bassey Akiba, has urged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise recently resumed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement made available to The Nigeria News Mark, Akiba stressed that the credibility and strength of democracy depend largely on citizens’ active participation, describing voter registration as a fundamental pillar of democratic governance and a key instrument for electing leaders and holding government accountable.
He noted that the ongoing CVR exercise provides a fresh opportunity for first-time voters—particularly young Nigerians who have attained voting age—as well as citizens seeking to update their details, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or transfer their registration to new locations.
The federal lawmaker specifically called on youths to harness the power of their numbers by engaging meaningfully in the democratic process through voter registration.
“Democracy thrives when citizens make their voices count at the ballot box, not when they remain silent at defining moments,” he said.
Commending INEC for sustaining the registration exercise nationwide, Akiba appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, faith-based institutions, and civil society organisations to deepen grassroots sensitization and mobilisation to ensure widespread participation across wards and polling units.
He further urged citizens to approach the exercise with patriotism and a strong sense of civic responsibility, while reaffirming his commitment to purposeful leadership, democratic inclusion, and impactful representation that reflects the true will of the people.
