As the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins, political leaders, academics, youth advocates, and government officials in Ebonyi State have raised alarm over what they described as growing voter apathy in the Southeast.
They warned that the region risks losing political relevance and bargaining power at the national level unless residents, particularly the youth, register in large numbers and secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews, emphasized that voter registration is not just a constitutional right but a civic duty that defines political influence.
Their unified message was blunt, saying that without active participation in the democratic process, the Southeast will weaken its voice in national politics.
Comrade Sunday Nwambam, Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Inter-Party Affairs, described the PVC as the "key to development."
“With your PVC, you can be elected, you can choose who leads, and you can protect your future,” he said.
He dismissed claims that the 2027 elections had already been predetermined, branding such narratives as “dangerous distractions” designed to suppress participation.
Nwambam also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently address logistical constraints, particularly the shortage of registration machines in overcrowded centers.
“We can’t have thousands waiting to register and only two machines. INEC must act,” Nwambam stressed.
From the academic perspective, Professor Eugene Nweke of Ebonyi State University argued that low turnout among young people poses a long-term danger to Nigeria’s democracy.
“Your PVC is your protest or approval. If we don’t use it, the political elite will continue to dominate,” he warned.
Prof. Nweke called for continuous voter registration instead of periodic cycles, noting that young Nigerians turn 18 every day.
He urged INEC, schools, churches, and the media to intensify voter education campaigns.
Mr. Theophilus Nwokpor, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ebonyi State, said his agency had intensified grassroots sensitization to encourage voter participation.
“Democracy may not be perfect, but it’s still our best option. We’ve moved past the days of ballot snatching. Votes are starting to count,” he maintained.
Nwokpor acknowledged existing security concerns but urged INEC to adjust its operations such as offering weekend registration to ensure more people can register.
Comrade Chinedu Emerike, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilization and President of the FON Youth Movement, made a direct appeal to young Nigerians
“No registration, no voting. No voting, no influence. This is your chance to decide your destiny,” he declared.
Emerike also commended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s developmental efforts, adding that performance, not propaganda, would determine electoral outcomes in 2027.
Comrade Ernest Nwaze, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ebonyi and APC Zonal Chairman, issued perhaps the sternest warning, insisting that “no PVC, no voice.”
“You can’t complain about leadership if you didn’t participate in electing it,” he said.
He cautioned that the Southeast risks diminishing its influence in national politics if registration figures remain low.
“Other regions are registering en masse. If we stay behind, we’ll lose influence in politics and even in funding. Power follows numbers,” he said.
Nwaze urged Southeast residents living outside the zone to return home and register locally to boost the region’s electoral strength.
“Let’s not empower other regions while weakening our own,” he added.
With a shared sense of urgency, the stakeholders declared that the time for excuses is over. They called on residents to take immediate steps to register, collect their PVCs, and prepare to vote.
“As the 2027 elections draw closer, the message is clear: the Southeast must register, vote, and participate, or risk losing its political voice for years to come,” Nwaze concluded.
