The Ogun State chapter of the National Rescue Mission (NRM) has called on eligible residents across the state to seize the opportunity of the ongoing voter registration exercise by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing it as the foundation of participatory democracy.
The state chairman of the party, Hon. Olujobi Fayoyin, made this appeal during a media briefing in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, earlier this week. He said voter registration was not only a civic duty but also the only legal path for Nigerians to secure their PVCs, which remain the most powerful tool for electing leaders in a democracy.
“Voter registration is the gateway to choosing our leaders. Without a PVC, a citizen has no voice in the democratic process. This is why we are calling on every eligible Ogun State resident who has not yet registered to do so immediately,” Fayoyin said.
The NRM chairman explained that the exercise was an opportunity for those who had never registered before, as well as those who needed to replace lost or damaged cards, to prepare ahead of the coming general elections. He insisted that broad participation was critical to ensuring credible polls and preventing voter apathy.
Fayoyin, however, criticized the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for what he described as its “failure” to properly sensitize Nigerians about the registration process. According to him, the agency, saddled with the constitutional responsibility of public enlightenment, had left many citizens in the dark about the importance of registering.
“It is unfortunate that the NOA, which is funded by taxpayers’ money, has failed woefully in its duty to inform Nigerians of the ongoing exercise. In the absence of proper orientation, the responsibility now falls on political parties and civic groups to fill that gap for the sake of our democracy,” he lamented.
The NRM chairman further urged opposition parties to take the lead in mobilizing their members and the general public, warning that failure to do so could entrench one-party dominance in the country.
“We must not allow the ruling party to turn Nigeria into a one-party state by weakening or silencing opposition voices. It is our collective responsibility to keep the people fully informed about the political process and their right to vote. Democracy only thrives when there is genuine competition,” he stated.
Fayoyin also stressed the need for grassroots political enlightenment, saying many rural communities still lacked adequate information about how to register, transfer their polling units, or correct errors in their voter details. He called on youth groups, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and community leaders to partner with political parties in sensitizing the public.
“Mobilization must go beyond rhetoric; it must reach the markets, the villages, the schools, and the churches. The people must understand that their PVC is their power. If we continue to leave people uninformed, we are indirectly aiding electoral malpractice and poor governance,” he added.
He assured that the National Rescue Mission in Ogun State would intensify efforts to educate residents about the voter registration process and the importance of active participation in elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier announced that the voter registration exercise would run in phases across the country, urging citizens to make use of the window to avoid last-minute rush.
With the 2027 general elections drawing nearer, the NRM chairman’s message is expected to stir renewed awareness in Ogun State, where voter turnout has historically been low compared to the number of registered voters.