Kano govt targets 10 million voters in ongoing INEC registration

The Kano State Government has mandated the newly inaugurated Committee on Voter Registration and Civic Awareness to ensure that the state registers no fewer than 10 million eligible voters during the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Making this known, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, said this while inaugurating the State Voter Registration Mobilisation Committee at the Cabinet Office, Kano.

He, however, stated that the committee is a broad-based body comprising technocrats, Islamic scholars, broadcasters, business leaders, and other critical stakeholders, including representatives of opposition political parties.

Alhaji Umar Faruk said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible resident of Kano has the opportunity to register and exercise their civic responsibility during future elections.

Umar Faruk hinted that their duties are to make sure that Kano gains an additional five million registered voters by the end of the voter card revalidation exercise.

“Kano today stands as the most populous state in the country, and with the political awareness of the state and the number of voters who were previously disenfranchised due to lack of cards, you have the duty to make sure these groups collect their cards,” he said.

According to him, “The objective of setting up this committee is to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of this exercise. The government will provide all the necessary support to achieve this target.”

The SSG then directed the committee to intensify voter sensitisation campaigns across all 44 local government areas of the state, stressing the importance of inclusive participation in strengthening democracy.

He emphasised, “You should know that voter registration is no longer a civic responsibility but a compulsory responsibility, which must be fulfilled. The duty of the committee is to ensure that this compulsory process happens.”

He added that it is incumbent upon the committee to go to every corner of the state and enlighten citizens of their rights to either revalidate their voter cards or collect new ones.

The SSG therefore added, “Governor Yusuf is keenly watching you and has a vested interest in this work, because it is only through proper voter registration that the people of Kano will elect leaders of integrity and passion for development.”

Responding, the chairman of the committee, the state Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, assured the state government of the committee’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.

“We assure the government and the people of the state that we will not betray the trust reposed in us. We will work tirelessly to mobilise residents and achieve the target,” he said.

He also added that they considered the assignment a call to service and would not disappoint the Governor.

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