CVR: Oborevwori, Stakeholders Lament Low Turnout, Call For Massive Grassroots Mobilisation In Delta

CVR: Oborevwori, Stakeholders Lament Low Turnout, Call For Massive Grassroots Mobilisation In Delta

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed concern over the low turnout recorded during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, urging stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the second phase commencing in January 2026.

Deputy Governor, Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme (left), who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori receiving a copy of an address from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Delta State, Sir Etekamba Umoren, during a Sensitization Engagement of Delta State Stakeholders on the continuous voter registration exercise in Government House, Asaba on Wednesday. PIX SAMUEL JIBUNOR.

The Governor made this known on Wednesday at a sensitisation and advocacy engagement organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the Delta State Government at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori described the registration figures from the first phase as far below expectations, noting that the 76,000 registrants recorded did not reflect the population strength and democratic consciousness of the state.

He stressed that voter registration remains the gateway to democratic participation and the foundation of a credible and inclusive electoral process.

Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme (left), who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in a warm handshake with Obi of Ubulu-Unor, HRM Obi Henry Kikachukwu, during  a sensitization engagement of Delta State Stakeholders by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on the continuous voter registration exercise in Government House, Asaba on Wednesday while the Ovie of Arhavwarien, HRM Solomon Akporhiere Onojeta, Okukeren III (right) looks on . PIX SAMUEL JIBUNOR

Governor Oborevwori called on traditional rulers, political party leaders, religious bodies, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, market associations, and the media to take ownership of the CVR campaign by driving awareness directly to communities.

He particularly appealed to youths and first-time voters to seize the opportunity to register, describing them as the future of democracy.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for INEC to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities and expressed optimism that the second phase of the exercise would record a significant improvement over the first.

Earlier in his welcome address, Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said the engagement was necessitated by declining civic participation and voter apathy.

He emphasised that while INEC’s primary responsibility is to conduct elections, citizen participation through voter registration is fundamental to good governance.

According to him, citizens who fail to exercise their civic responsibility of voting forfeit the moral right to complain about governance outcomes.

In his presentation, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sir Etekamba Udoh Umoren, outlined the timeline of the first phase of the CVR, which commenced with online pre-registration in August 2025, followed by physical registration across local government offices and the display of the voters register for claims and objections, in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

He explained that the CVR accommodates first-time voters, those who missed earlier registrations, applicants seeking correction of personal details, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and those wishing to transfer their registration.

The REC announced that the second phase of the CVR began on January 5, 2026, stressing that voter registration is a civic duty and a cornerstone of democracy, not merely an administrative exercise.

Deputy Governor, Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme (5th left), Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu (2nd left), Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon (behind Aniagwu), Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor (3rd left), Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi (5th right), Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Delta State, Sir Etekamba Umoren (4th right) and others during a sensitization road walk by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the continuous voter registration exercise in Asaba on Wednesday. PIX SAMUEL JIBUNOR. against registration offences such as multiple registrations and providing false information, noting the legal penalties attached, while assuring of INEC’s commitment to neutrality, transparency, and peaceful conduct of the exercise.

The sensitisation programme which featured a roadwalk show led by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, was attended by key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; Hon. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency; members of the State House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers, market women, civil society organisations, community leaders, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), ALGON, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among others.