By Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah, member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy more voter registration machines to Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ogah made the call on Monday during a voter registration sensitization programme organized by the Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Youth Movement (FON), led by its National President, Chinedu Emerike.
He stressed that Ikwo, being the largest local government area in Ebonyi, was too vast to depend on a single registration centre at the council headquarters in Onuebonyi Echera.
According to him, the electoral body should move beyond central locations by taking registration machines and staff to polling units, markets, and other public places to make the process easier for residents.
“Many of our people spend huge amounts of money traveling from far-flung communities just to register for their voter’s card. This is unacceptable for a population as large as Ikwo,” Ogah said.
The lawmaker also frowned at the continued closure of INEC offices in Ebonyi every Monday due to insecurity. He urged the commission to resume normal operations, insisting that the state is safe, or alternatively consider working on weekends to compensate for lost Mondays.
“Ebonyi people cannot be shortchanged in this national exercise,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Sunday Nwankwo, assured that the council has put measures in place to ensure every eligible voter in the area is registered.
He described the exercise as a “must-go” project rather than a routine civic duty and pledged full support from the council.
“We want to maintain our first position with higher numbers of registered voters,” Nwankwo declared.
The council boss further explained that officials were already moving across wards to sensitize residents, encourage voter registration, and help resolve related issues. He added that logistics support was being provided to ease the burden on citizens.
“People are eager to perform their civic responsibility, but sometimes they need that little push to make the process easier,” he noted.
Stakeholders at the programme commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for his commitment to peace and development in the state, assuring him of overwhelming grassroots support in 2027.
“Our voter’s card is our power and our voice. We will use it to elect leaders who will serve us effectively,” one of the participants said.
The sensitization attracted coordinators of the Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Youth Movement, community leaders, women groups, youth representatives, and development centre leaders, all of whom echoed the call for INEC to increase deployment of machines to Ikwo.
The event ended with a unanimous resolution by Ikwo stakeholders to back Governor Nwifuru with “100 percent support” in 2027 while ensuring no eligible voter is left out of the ongoing registration exercise.
A major highlight was the inauguration of local government and ward-level teams by FON National President, Chinedu Emerike, to collaborate with the council and INEC in achieving the voter registration target.