The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has blamed political and traditional leaders in the southeast zone for the poor participation of the region in the ongoing voter registrations exercise organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, across the Federation.
The organization said the region recorded only 1,998 new voter registrations between August 18 and 25, compared to 1.3 million being recorded so far nationwide.
In a press statement jointly signed by its Deputy President General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro and its National Spokesperson Thompson Ohia informed that figures released showed that the Southwest is leading with 848,359 registrations, with the North-Central coming behind with 250,218 while describing that of the southeast numbers as profoundly unacceptable noting that Anambra recorded no new registrants.
The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural group asserted that the organisation is holding political leaders from the region particularly Anambra State responsible for failing to mobilize citizens for the exercise.
Ohanaeze, however, stated that the organization itself acknowledges its own shortcomings but appeals to all stakeholders in the region to encourage citizens to effectively participate in the exercise.
“We castigate the southeast Governors, whose focus on narrow political agendas has demonstrably overshadowed the paramount political interests of the Igbo people. This irresponsible conduct has rendered the southeast a political caricature in the eyes of the nation.”
The group also criticized Traditional Rulers and civil rights organisations for what it described as their collective failure to sensitize the people.
Ohanaeze remarked that the exercise is a golden opportunity which the region should utilize to increasing its electoral strength for future political contest.
It urged Governors, Local Government Chairmen, Town Union Presidents, market associations, students, religious leaders and civil rights groups to mobilize citizens across the zone to get registered in the ongoing exercise which ends August 31, 2026.
“This is a clarion call, a rallying cry, to all Igbo across Nigeria. Participate in the INEC voters registration exercise across the 774 Local Government Areas of the Federation. “Register, and make your voice heard. Let the Igbo people reclaim their rightful place in the Nigerian political landscape,” the statement added.
