JUST IN: Peter Obi urges Nigerians to register to vote, says change begins before election day

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has urged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise, stressing that meaningful national change can only be achieved through active civic participation.

In a statement titled “Voter Registration: The First Step in the Journey to a New Nigeria,” issued on Thursday, Obi said obtaining a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is the first step towards building the country Nigerians desire.

The former Anambra State governor said he made the appeal after an unscheduled stop at Waru Wazobia in Abuja, where he interacted with residents and encouraged them, particularly young people and women, to register to vote.

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“Yesterday, while passing through Waru Wazobia in Abuja, I made a chance stop to interact with our people. I seized the opportunity to encourage them, especially our youths and women, to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise,” Obi said.

According to him, the power to transform Nigeria begins long before Election Day.

“The power to change Nigeria does not begin on Election Day; it begins with voter registration. Registering to vote is not just a civic responsibility; it is an investment in the future we all desire,” he said.

Obi called on all eligible Nigerians who have yet to register to do so without delay, while urging registered voters to encourage their relatives, friends, neighbours and colleagues to obtain their voter cards.

“I urge every eligible Nigerian who has not yet registered to do so without delay. Those who already have their voter cards should encourage their family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues to register as well,” he added.

The NDC presidential candidate warned that the country’s transformation would not come through mere optimism but through the collective actions of citizens who participate in the democratic process.

“A new Nigeria will not happen through wishful thinking. It will be built by citizens who participate, who believe, and who act,” Obi said.

He further urged Nigerians to embrace hope, reject political apathy and remain committed to nation-building.

“Let us continue to choose hope over despair, participation over apathy, and nation-building over division,” he said.

Obi concluded the statement with his campaign slogan: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”