Northern States Intensify Voter Mobilisation as South Maintains Lead in Online Registration

Northern states have begun ramping up voter mobilisation efforts as southern states continue to dominate online pre-registration in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission over 3.5 million Nigerians have completed online pre-registration within three weeks of the exercise which commenced on August 18. A breakdown shows Osun leading with 518,635 registrations followed by Lagos with 440,647 and Ogun with 348,217. In contrast northern states have posted modest figures with Kano recording only 66,091 while Kaduna reported 187,480 and Plateau about 32,000.

The disparity has raised concerns among political stakeholders in the North who are now deploying sensitisation campaigns through community groups religious leaders and local officials to boost participation. Governors in Kano Kaduna Zamfara and Nasarawa have launched mobilisation drives while Kwara officials are extending campaigns into rural areas. Similar initiatives are underway in Yobe where volunteers are being trained to assist residents with online registration.

Meanwhile opposition parties including the African Democratic Congress and the Labour Party have questioned the unusually high numbers from Osun State calling for forensic audits. INEC has dismissed these claims as unfounded stressing that the process is transparent and consistent with historical patterns.

The commission also confirmed that physical registrations which started on August 25 have reached 288,614. It reiterated that registration is strictly for citizens aged 18 and above warning against underage enrolment.

Observers say the South’s strong showing and the North’s lag could shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election if the gap is not addressed.