By Musa Kutama, Calabar
The Cross River State Hausa/Fulani residents in the state have been urged to ensure greater participation in the voter registration to exercise their civic responsibility among the various communities, Alhaji Shuaibu Uba, the Coordinator of the Hausa-Fulani Community in the state, made the passionate appeal in an interview with journalists in Calabar.
Earlier Alhaji Uba had launched a grassroots voter registration sensitization and mobilization campaign in the affiliate communities throughout the state.
The co-ordinator further said that “the campaign, which began on September 17, will run through September 27, covering several strategic locations within Calabar metropolis.”
The first phase of the outreach kicked-off at Nasarawa Community in Calabar, from September 17 to 20, where Alhaji Shuaibu and his team engaged residents in a door-to-door awareness as well as holding a Town Hall meetings to educate citizens on the importance of voter registration and active participation in democratic processes.
The sensitization train is scheduled to move to Army Barracks, Eburutu, Calabar, from September 22 to 24, where further engagement with the community, especially young and first-time voters, is expected to take place.
The final phase will take place from September 25 to 27 at BQWO, opposite UJ Esuene Stadium, where community leaders, religious figures, and youth groups will also be involved in mobilizing residents to register for the upcoming elections.
Alhaji Shuaibu Uba emphasized the importance of voter registration as a civic duty and a means for the Hausa/Fulani community to make their voices heard. “Our goal is to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the democratic process. We are taking this message to the grassroots to ensure inclusivity and active participation,” he said.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant authorities to ensure that voter registration centers are accessible, especially in minority communities.
The ongoing initiative has received praises from local leaders and it’s expected to significantly boost voter awareness and turnout in the region ahead of the next elections.
