By our Reporter
The race to 2027 has begun in earnest as the South surges ahead in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, leaving the North scrambling to close an alarming gap.
Fresh figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that while Southern states—particularly Osun, Lagos, and Ogun—continue to dominate online pre-registration, several Northern strongholds are lagging far behind despite their larger population base and political weight.
As of Sunday, September 7, 2025, a total of 3,544,850 Nigerians had pre-registered online, according to INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun.
South Leads, North Trails
Osun emerged as the clear leader with 518,635 registrations (14.63%), followed by Lagos with 440,647 (12.43%) and Ogun with 348,217 (9.82%). Even insurgency-hit Borno pulled a respectable 296,409 (8.36%).
In contrast, Kano—the most populous state in the country and a critical political battleground—managed just 66,091 registrations (1.86%), a figure that has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Kaduna fared slightly better at 187,480 (5.29%), while Plateau, Zamfara, and others posted dismal returns below 40,000.
INEC revealed that 64.65% of registrants (2.29 million) are youths between the ages of 18 and 34, with students making up almost 25% of total online registrations.
The soaring numbers from the South-West—especially Osun—have not gone unchallenged. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) have both questioned the credibility of INEC’s figures.
The ADC, through its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, demanded a forensic audit, alleging that Osun’s numbers defied historical and demographic logic. Similarly, the LP’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, warned Nigerians not to overlook “suspicious anomalies” in the data.
INEC, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting the figures were accurate and reflective of early trends.
Alarmed by the South’s head start, Northern leaders are racing against time to mobilise their citizens.
Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has vowed to make Kano the state with the highest number of registered voters, inaugurating a special task force to spearhead the campaign.
In Zamfara, Governor Dauda Lawal set up a state-wide sensitisation committee led by his deputy to drive awareness.
Kaduna Governor Uba Sani launched a mass mobilisation drive, declaring voter registration “a pivotal moment for inclusive governance.”
Nasarawa’s Governor Abdullahi Sule lamented poor participation and urged grassroots political structures to rally citizens.
In Kwara, officials have stormed rural communities, using town-hall engagements and personal advocacy campaigns to get locals on board.
Similar initiatives are underway in Yobe, Kebbi, Benue, and Gombe, where governments, political parties, and religious leaders are banding together to prevent further Southern dominance.
Observers warn that if the North does not close the registration gap, the South could enter the 2027 elections with a significant numerical advantage at the polls—a scenario that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The disparity in voter registration is not just a statistic; it is a strategic shift,” one analyst noted. “If the North fails to catch up, it risks losing its traditional electoral leverage.”
INEC reminded Nigerians that voter registration is strictly for citizens 18 years and above and cautioned against attempts to register underage voters.
“It is illegal for anyone to encourage underage registration or those below 18 years of age to register in anticipation of voting in 2027,” Olumekun stressed.
Meanwhile, physical (in-person) registrations, which began on August 25, have already hit 288,614, complementing the online process.
With over 18 months before the 2027 polls, the voter registration battle has clearly become the first real contest of the election season. The South may be setting the pace, but the North is waking up fast—knowing full well that in Nigeria’s democracy, numbers are power.
PIONEER NEWS 