By Emeka Nwokocha
Public affairs analyst and 2027 House of Representatives hopeful for Warri Federal Constituency, Mr. Oritsemami Obioru, has called on eligible citizens, particularly young people—across Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West, as well as the wider Delta State, to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr. Obioru made the call while addressing journalists in Warri, emphasizing that voter registration remains the bedrock of Nigeria’s democratic process and the most effective means for citizens to secure their civic rights and influence governance.
According to him, the second phase of INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which commenced in January 2026, presents a critical opportunity for eligible Nigerians, especially youths who have attained the age of eighteen, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and take ownership of the democratic process.
“Registering for your PVC is not optional; it is your civic responsibility,” Obioru stated.
“Your PVC is your power. It gives you the right to vote, to hold leaders accountable, and to shape the future of Warri, Delta State, and Nigeria as a whole.”
He stressed that meaningful youth participation is essential to building a democratic society anchored on transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that young people constitute the largest voting population in the country.
“When young people register and vote, they influence policy direction and promote credible leadership. Democracy works best when citizens are actively involved, not when they are silent or disengaged,” he added.
Speaking further, Mr. Obioru, who is seeking election into the House of Representatives for Warri Federal Constituency under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2027, urged youths to leverage their numerical strength to demand reforms, inclusivity, and people-centered governance.
He also issued a strong warning against electoral malpractice, calling on Nigerians, particularly residents of Warri, to reject vote buying and election rigging, which he described as major setbacks to Nigeria’s democratic growth.
“I also want to urge Nigerians, especially the people of Warri, to shun vote buying and election rigging,” Obioru said.
“Let us embrace our future by educating one another against practices that have robbed us of our democratic progress.”
He further emphasized that collecting a PVC must go hand in hand with protecting the sanctity of the vote.
“As we exercise our rights by obtaining our PVCs, we must also resolve that no political party or candidate should buy our conscience or our right to vote,” he stated.
“The power to choose our leaders belongs to the people, and it must never be traded for money or temporary gains.”
Mr. Obioru concluded by encouraging all eligible citizens, particularly young Deltans to take active responsibility for shaping a safer, more prosperous future by participating fully in the electoral process.
“Get your PVC, protect your vote, and be ready to decide the future. A new Warri and a better Nigeria are possible when the people stand up and act,” he said.
