Voter Registration: Ex-Lawmaker Urges Stakeholders to Educate the People

A former Minority Whip and member who represented Arochukwu State Constituency in the 7th Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha has called on various stakeholders in the southeast region as a matter of urgency to educate our people on the need to register in the ongoing voters registration in the country.

Speaking in an online interview program "The Legislature" on Flo 94.9 FM, Umuahia, Hon. Ukoha frowned at the political apathy in the southeast, which he said would never be in the best interest of the people, stressing that once the people understand the need, they will do so.

Continuing, he praised the people of the Southeast region for their high level intelligence, which according to him has helped them wherever they found themselves and urged the Ndi Ezeogo and Ezenwanyi, Presidents General and town union executives to assist in sensitizing the people in their areas on the importance of voter registration.

Responding to a question regarding the place of Governors, he said, "the Governors in the Southeast have a huge role to play as chief executives in motivating stakeholders to get our people registered across the LGAs in their states".

The former Minority Whip explained that the misconception about vote buying is wrong, adding that the idea that INEC is to be blamed for every malfeasance during elections is not good, maintaining that having an educated agent who understands the electoral process, is the key in order to checkmate that the process is good.

He called for the proper sensitization and training of party agents and which will make them to be involved in the process during the election.

When asked about those who are qualified to register for the ongoing process, Hon. Ukoha hinted that young adults who are 16 years old and will be 18 years old by 2027 can register. Also, those who are 18 years already as well as those whose voters cards have been misplaced or defaced, are all qualified to register.

He stressed the need for people of the Southeast region to start registering on time as such, will make their voters cards ready for the next election season.

Hon. Ukoha lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), as sponsored by the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D., CFR, while calling on the people to exercise patience with the management team of the Commission, saying that projects are not conscieved overnight but rather it takes time.

In his word, "our stakeholders in the southeast must also show interest by interfacing with the Commission, by pointing out areas that need intervention across the region".