• Achonu seeks constitutional power for electoral body on LG polls
• Lauds FG on subsidy removal, tax reforms
• Seeks more funds for LGs, legalisation of cannabis
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said that over 3.5 million Nigerians had pre-registered online for the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise within three weeks of its commencement.
The exercise, which began on August 18, 2025, also recorded 288,614 completed registrations, combining both the online and in-person processes as of September 4, 2025.
INEC, in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said female applicants accounted for a slightly higher proportion in both categories, making up 51.76 per cent of the online pre-registrations and 54.04 per cent of the completed registrations.
According to the Commission, youths, between the ages of 18 and 34 years, dominate the exercise, representing 64.65 per cent (2,291,809) of the online registrants and 74.64 per cent (215,414) of the completed registrations.
“Students also make up a significant number, with 24.89 per cent (882,441) in the online category and 39.55 per cent (114,150) among those who have completed the process,” Olumekun stated.
IN another development, a former Senator and Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 Imo State election, Athan Nneji Achonu, has advocated for far-reaching constitutional and economic reforms to strengthen democracy and ensure inclusive development.
Achonu, who spoke at a media briefing on the state of the nation in Abuja, described his intervention as “a call to conscience” beyond party politics, saying that Nigeria must urgently address the structural gaps that are holding back progress in the country.
He urged civic groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), among others, to monitor utilisation of council allocations.
Achonu recalled sponsoring a similar bill in 2015, but faulted state governors for failing to use proceeds to improve living standards.
He proposed that a larger share be constitutionally channelled to councils where officials could be held accountable in court.
Achonu further urged legalisation of cannabis cultivation and processing, calling it “Nigeria’s green gold,” with potential to create jobs, attract foreign investment and generate new revenue.
Besides, he advocated constitutional zoning of the Presidency among the six geopolitical zones, beginning with South-East and North-East, that are yet to produce a President since 1999.
He pledged support for any administration that embraces such reforms, commending President Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Attorney-General of the Federation for “progressive initiatives.”
