Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed deep concern over the low turnout recorded during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, warning that voter apathy poses a serious threat to democratic participation.
The governor said the number of registered voters fell far below expectations for a state with Delta’s population size and political history, and called for urgent, coordinated grassroots mobilisation ahead of the second phase of the exercise scheduled to begin in January 2026.
Oborevwori made the remarks on Wednesday at a sensitisation and advocacy engagement organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the Delta State Government at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
Speaking through his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, the governor revealed that only about 76,000 people participated in the first phase of the CVR. He described the figure as disappointing and not reflective of Delta State’s democratic awareness, stressing that voter registration is the gateway to credible elections and accountable governance.
He noted that democracy cannot function effectively when citizens exclude themselves from the electoral process, adding that registering to vote is the first and most important civic responsibility in any democracy.
The governor urged traditional rulers, political party leaders, religious bodies, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, market associations, and the media to take ownership of voter education and awareness campaigns, particularly at the grassroots level.
He made a special appeal to young people and first-time voters, describing them as the future of the state’s democracy and encouraging them to seize the opportunity to register. Oborevwori assured that his administration would continue to provide a conducive environment for INEC to carry out its constitutional duties, expressing optimism that turnout would improve significantly during the second phase.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said the sensitisation programme was organised in response to rising voter apathy and declining civic engagement across the state. He emphasised that while INEC is responsible for conducting elections, democracy thrives only when citizens actively participate.
According to him, citizens who choose not to register and vote lose the moral right to complain about governance outcomes, stressing that participation is essential for accountability and good governance.
In his presentation, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sir Etekamba Udoh Umoren, outlined the CVR timeline, explaining that the first phase began with online pre-registration in August 2025, followed by physical registration at INEC offices across local government areas, as well as the display of the voters register for claims and objections, in line with the Electoral Act 2022.
The REC explained that the CVR is open to first-time voters, those who missed previous registrations, individuals seeking correction of personal details, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and voters wishing to transfer their registration.
He announced that the second phase of the CVR commenced on January 5, 2026, and stressed that voter registration is a civic duty, not merely an administrative exercise. Umoren warned against offences such as multiple registrations and providing false information, noting that such actions attract legal penalties.
The sensitisation event also featured a road walk led by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, to further raise public awareness. The programme was attended by key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; Hon. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency; members of the State House of Assembly and Executive Council; traditional rulers, market women, civil society groups, community leaders, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
