The sensitisation campaign, which attracted women groups, community leaders, party supporters and other stakeholders, was aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of voter registration as a critical step towards strengthening democratic participation and ensuring that more eligible citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote during future elections.
Addressing participants during the walk, Mrs Ashimi stressed that democracy can only thrive when citizens actively participate in the electoral process. She urged women to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the document as a powerful instrument for influencing leadership and promoting good governance.
According to her, women constitute a significant percentage of the nation’s population and therefore have a vital role to play in determining the direction of governance through active political participation.
She encouraged eligible residents who have attained the age of 18, those who have relocated, or individuals seeking replacement for lost or damaged voter cards to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise at designated INEC centres.
Speaking during the mobilisation, Hon. Mrs Mariam Omotanwa Salau reaffirmed her commitment to women’s political inclusion and civic engagement. She noted that the mobilisation exercise was designed not only to increase voter registration but also to inspire more women to participate in governance and seek elective positions.
Hon. Salau emphasised that obtaining a PVC is the first step towards making every vote count, urging women not to allow others to decide the future of their communities on their behalf.
She also appealed to youths to embrace the opportunity to register, describing them as critical stakeholders in nation-building whose voices should be reflected through active participation in elections.
In the same vein, the council chairman, Hon. Lateef Ashimi, posited that it became necessary for every resident to get their permanent Voters card for them to be able to exercise their constitutional rights, especially when the INEC has extended the registration date, noting that they should see the extension as a window of opportunity to get registered especially those whose cards had been damaged or lost.
He continued, “It became necessary for every resident to get their permanent Voters card for them to be able to exercise their constitutional rights, especially when the INEC has extended the registration date”.
The mobilisation walk moved through major roads and strategic locations within Somolu, where participants distributed awareness materials and engaged residents on the importance of registering with INEC before the deadline.
Residents who witnessed the exercise commended the initiative, describing it as timely and capable of boosting voter awareness ahead of forthcoming elections.
The organisers reiterated that sustained voter education and community engagement remain essential to deepening democratic values, increasing electoral participation, and promoting inclusive governance at the grassroots level.
