Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to further extend the ongoing continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise beyond the July 26 deadline.
Obi said the registration period should be extended to the latest practicable date that would still allow enough time to prepare a credible voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general election.
“As we continue to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in our democracy, I respectfully appeal to INEC to consider extending the voter registration window to the latest practical date that still allows adequate time for the preparation of a credible voters’ register before the 2027 general elections,” he said.
He argued that more Nigerians turn 18 every day and should not lose the opportunity to register and vote because the exercise ends too early.
“Every day, more young Nigerians attain the age of 18 and become constitutionally eligible to vote. They are not just our future; they are stakeholders in our present,” he said.
“It would be unfortunate if many of them were denied the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility simply because the registration process closed long before the elections.”
Obi also cited a November 22, 2022 Federal High Court judgment, which held that voter registration should continue until 90 days before a general election to protect the voting rights of eligible Nigerians.
While acknowledging INEC’s responsibility to conduct credible elections, he said the electoral process should encourage wider participation.
“Our electoral process should, as much as possible, maximise participation rather than limit it,” he said.
“A democracy is strengthened when every eligible citizen has the opportunity to be heard.”
INEC resumed the second phase of the CVR exercise in January 2026 after the first phase ended on December 10, 2025. The commission had earlier extended the exercise from July 10 to July 26 following consultations with stakeholders.
