By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR -The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River has said that the state is set to record not less than 2.5 million votes in the 2027 General Elections as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is gradually coming to an end.
Mr Effiom Okon, state chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River who disclosed this to Journalists in Calabar on Saturday, said that “Over the past weeks, IPAC has mobilised political parties across the 18 local government areas, working hand in hand with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Others are civil society organisations, youth and women groups, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, and community stakeholders to ensure that no eligible citizen is left behind.
According to him “We are proud of the response we have received from Cross Riverians” explaining that the remaining days present a final opportunity for every eligible Cross Riverian to secure his or her place in history by registering to vote.”
Okon, an engineer, however, warned that “No Voter’s Card, No Voice. No Registration, No Participation. Democracy begins with voter registration.”
He added “Today, IPAC confidently declares that, with the ongoing mobilisation and the cooperation of INEC and every stakeholder involved in this exercise, Cross River State is on course.”
“This is not merely a projection; it is a collective target that every stakeholder must work tirelessly to achieve” IPAC chairman stated announcing that “A higher voter population means a stronger democratic mandate, greater political relevance, increased national recognition, and a louder voice for Cross River State in determining the future of Nigeria.”
While calling on every eligible citizen who has not registered to do so immediately, Okon, asked parents to encourage their children who have attained voting age and youths to mobilise fellow youths as well as religious leaders to speak to their congregations.
He also charged traditional rulers to mobilise their communities while political parties should intensify grassroots mobilisation, maintaining that every eligible Cross Riverian must become an ambassador of voter registration.