The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that over 3.5 million Nigerians have completed online pre-registration in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

According to a statement released on Monday by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the registrations were recorded within three weeks of the exercise.

“As of Sunday, 7th September 2025, a total of 3,544,850 Nigerians have completed their pre-registration online since the commencement of the exercise on 18th August 2025,” the statement read.

Breakdown by States

The figures showed that Osun topped the list with 518,635 online pre-registrants, followed by Lagos with 440,647, Ogun with 348,217, and Borno with 296,409.

Other states include Kebbi with 193,781, Kaduna with 187,480, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 180,260. Yobe recorded 173,731, Kogi 166,010, Oyo 160,652, and Kwara 78,245.

In the South West, Ekiti registered 74,423, while Kano recorded 66,091, Delta 62,192, and Imo 61,341. Sokoto had 54,084, Jigawa 48,285, Bauchi 46,504, Katsina 47,220, and Niger 62,819.

Zamfara recorded 32,784, Plateau 32,000, and Akwa Ibom 31,081. Cross River followed with 22,938, Benue 20,786, Rivers 19,294, and Gombe 18,630. Taraba registered 17,324, Bayelsa 13,374, and Ondo 9,033.

Others include Adamawa with 8,849, Edo 7,893, Abia 2,629, Ebonyi 1,616, and Enugu with the lowest figure of 1,203.

The South West region is currently leading in turnout, while northern states are stepping up mobilization efforts. However, the South East continues to show poor participation, raising concerns among stakeholders.

El-Rufai’s Concern

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, recently expressed worry over the low registration numbers in the South East.

Speaking at an event in Imo State, El-Rufai urged residents to take the exercise seriously, stressing that voter registration is both a civic duty and a democratic right.

“Governance in Nigeria today is democratic. We elect our leaders, we don’t appoint them. Registering to vote is not just a political obligation but a civic duty every citizen must embrace. Unfortunately, the South East, including Imo State, is lagging behind in the ongoing exercise,” he said.

He appealed to families, especially women, to encourage young people aged 16 and above—who will be eligible to vote by the next election cycle—to register without delay.

APC Leader: ‘Too Early to Judge’

Enugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ugochukwu Agballah, acknowledged the low turnout but argued that it was still too early to draw conclusions.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of concern yet because the exercise has only just begun. However, our people should avoid waiting until the last minute, which usually leads to congestion and frustration,” he said.

Agballah urged state and local governments, traditional rulers, and cultural associations to help mobilize residents. He also appealed to INEC to sustain its publicity campaign and ensure a seamless process.

Analyst Links Low Turnout to Political Apathy

Public affairs analyst and communication scholar, Nduka Odo, attributed the poor showing in the South East to long-standing political apathy.

He explained that many residents feel alienated from the political system, a sentiment he traced back to the aftermath of the Biafran civil war.

“The issue is not political suppression, as some speculate, but a deep-seated loss of faith in the system. Many in the South East believe they have little to gain from participating in politics, which fuels indifference to voter registration,” Odo said.

He warned that such attitudes weaken the region’s bargaining power at the national level and urged political leaders to step up sensitization efforts.

Lawmaker: Mobilization Underway in Rural Areas

Malachy Onyechi, a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly representing Nsukka West Constituency, also weighed in on the matter.

He explained that while many residents tend to delay registration until the final days, steps were being taken to mobilize rural communities.

“Our people are often relaxed about voter registration, leaving it until the last minute. We are now increasing awareness in rural areas where many are not even aware the exercise is ongoing,” he said.

Onyechi added that economic pressures also discourage many from prioritizing voter registration, but expressed optimism that increased awareness campaigns would boost participation before the exercise closes.