In a strategic push to bolster the state’s voting power ahead of future polls, the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, has issued a rallying cry to residents to participate in the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

Speaking at a high-level voter education sensitization programme, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile described the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as far more than a piece of plastic, calling it the ultimate key to accountability and governance.

Despite Lagos boasting a formidable base of 7.1 million registered voters, the highest in Nigeria, the LASIEC Chairman warned that a significant portion of the population remains on the sidelines.

She highlighted specific groups that currently fall into this missing category, the first-time voters reaching the legal age,  young people who have yet to engage with the process and new residents who have recently relocated to the state.

“Every unregistered citizen is a silenced voice and a weakened foundation for our collective future.
“This gap is not just a statistic; it is a democratic deficit that must be addressed,” Okikiolu-Ighile stated.
The Chairman urged stakeholders to take the Register-Collect-Vote (RCV) message into the heart of Lagos communities, including places of worship, schools and workplaces.

Supporting this vision, LASIEC Commissioner, Chief Akim Durojaiye Oluwo commended INEC’s efforts in maintaining the CVR exercise as a cornerstone for the 2027 General Elections.

He emphasized that a credible and inclusive process is the only way to ensure the democratic will of the people is reflected.

The Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Abdul-Rafiu Omowole Fashola, reminded residents that a vibrant democracy is built by active participation rather than passive observation.

“We must build a Lagos where every eligible voter is registered, every PVC is collected, and every vote is cast and counted.
“Let this programme be the spark that ignites a wave of civic campaign across the length and breadth of Lagos State,” Fashola said.