2027 elections: Peter Obi urges INEC to extend voter registration again

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to further extend the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, warning that ending the process too early could deny millions of eligible Nigerians their constitutional right to vote.

Obi made the appeal in a statement shared via his verified 𝕏 account on Thursday, arguing that extending the registration period would give more citizens—particularly first-time voters—an opportunity to participate in the 2027 elections.

According to the former Anambra State governor, Nigeria’s democracy can only grow stronger when every eligible citizen is given a fair chance to register and cast a ballot.

Obi stressed that thousands of Nigerians attain the age of 18 every day, making them constitutionally qualified to vote, and warned that shutting down voter registration long before the elections could unfairly exclude many of them from the democratic process.

He urged INEC to adopt a registration timeline that balances electoral preparations with the need to ensure broad participation.

“As we continue to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in our democracy, I respectfully appeal to INEC to consider extending the voter registration window to the latest practical date that still allows adequate time for the preparation of a credible voters’ register before the 2027 general elections,” Obi said.

He added: “Every day, more young Nigerians attain the age of 18 and become constitutionally eligible to vote. They are not just our future; they are stakeholders in our present. It would be unfortunate if many of them were denied the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility simply because the registration process closed long before the elections.”

Obi Cites Court Judgment

Backing his request with legal authority, Obi referenced a Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 22, 2022, in the case of Anaja Salmat & 3 Others v. INEC (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1342/2022).

According to him, the court ruled that voter registration should continue until 90 days before a general election, describing the decision as necessary to safeguard the constitutional rights of eligible Nigerians.

He argued that the judgment reinforces the need for INEC to keep the registration process open for as long as practically possible.

While acknowledging the enormous responsibility placed on INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections, Obi said he understands the commission’s need for enough time to clean the voters’ register and complete logistical preparations.

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However, he insisted that electoral planning should never come at the expense of voter inclusion.

“Our electoral process should, as much as possible, maximise participation rather than limit it,” he stated.

“A democracy is strengthened when every eligible citizen has the opportunity to be heard.”

He therefore urged the electoral commission to adopt a voter registration timetable that protects both the credibility of the election and the voting rights of Nigerians.

INEC Already Granted One Extension

Obi’s latest appeal comes barely days after INEC approved a two-week extension of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

The exercise, which was initially scheduled to end on July 10, is now expected to close on Friday, July 24, 2026.

With the new deadline fast approaching, Obi believes another extension would ensure that no eligible Nigerian, particularly young voters, is unnecessarily left out of the 2027 electoral process.