World Igbo Congress (WIC), the Apex Organisation of Ndi Igbo in Diaspora, has urged Nigerians to register and exercise their fundamental rights and responsibilities by voting in the upcoming 2027 elections.

This appeal was made following their recent Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting/

“If you have not yet registered to vote, please do so as soon as possible to avoid missing the stated deadlines,” says the Chairman, Dr. Festus Okere.

“Make your voice heard. For you to have freedom, you must participate in power by participating fully and actively in elections. It is a moral right and responsibility. Do not disenfranchise yourself by not registering and voting for those who can genuinely act and promote your interests.

“Your vote certainly makes a decisive difference in fighting inequality, ethnic injustice, terrorism, poverty, etc. Register to vote for those who will fearlessly make best public policies for all. Relaunch yourselves into relevance. Register to vote to minimise your complaints after the elections of 2027. Actions must speak louder than voice this time around.”

Okere stated that voting is the most direct way to influence laws, policies, and leaders who affect your daily life, political, economic, and social welfare for you, your family, community, state, and country.

“If you do not register, you cannot vote. Primarily, those who vote will, in effect, be making decisions for you. You also lose the right to complain,” he said.

According to him, voting gives people the opportunity to: “Choose representation: registering lets you elect officials who reflect your values and you hold them accountable.

“Protect rights and interests: collective voting protects civil rights and advances issues important to you and your community.

“Shape the future: elections determine long-term priorities (climate, economy, education, etc.) that affect future generations.

“Strengthen democracy: broader participation produces fairer, more stable government and reduces influence of narrow special interests.

“It is simple and effective: registration and voting are effortless steps that give you real influence for relatively little effort.”