Daniel Otera
Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has issued a bold directive, compelling all political appointees in Kogi State to return to their home villages to lead a grassroots campaign for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. This initiative, announced publicly on Saturday via a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, is a signal of the governor’s renewed commitment to strengthening democratic participation across the state’s 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The directive takes effect from Monday, September 1, 2025.
The order, detailed in a circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, mandates that Commissioners, senior political appointees, and other government officials relocate to their respective LGAs. Their mission is clear: to coordinate mobilization efforts at the ward level and drive up voter registration numbers.
“This is about bringing governance closer to the people,” Governor Ododo said, emphasizing the importance of engaging directly with the electorate. “We cannot sit in Lokoja and claim to represent the people. Our presence must be felt at the grassroots level.”
The directive is part of Ododo’s broader vision to deepen participatory governance in Kogi State, a region known for its diverse ethnic composition and vibrant political landscape. By decentralizing voter registration efforts, the governor seeks to empower citizens in even the most rural areas, ensuring their voices are heard in the upcoming elections.
The CVR exercise, facilitated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), serves as a critical opportunity to update the voter register and engage eligible citizens who may have been previously excluded from the electoral process. The governor’s move underscores his administration’s focus on making sure every eligible citizen has the chance to register and vote.
The state’s three senatorial districts Kogi East, West, and Central are often crucial in shaping national political outcomes. As such, Ododo’s approach reflects the importance of ensuring that Kogi’s electorate is as inclusive and active as possible.
According to the circular, appointees are required to submit detailed reports at the conclusion of the CVR exercise, documenting the number of new voters registered in their wards and LGAs. This accountability measure aligns with the administration’s emphasis on results-driven governance, ensuring that appointees are not just issuing directives but actively contributing to tangible outcomes.
“The governor expects results,” Fanwo stated, addressing journalists in Lokoja. “This is not just about issuing orders, but about making sure that every ward feels the impact of this mobilization.”
To ensure compliance, the circular includes strict measures. Appointees seeking to leave their LGAs during the mobilization period must first obtain written approval from the SSG. Non-compliance with this directive will result in disciplinary action.
“This is a serious task, and the governor is clear that there will be no room for laxity,” Fanwo added.
Kogi, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has experienced fluctuating voter turnout in past elections, with some LGAs seeing participation rates below 50%. Governor Ododo’s directive aims to bridge this gap by empowering local political appointees to be on the ground and drive civic engagement at the community level.
Ododo’s administration has long championed grassroots governance, and this latest directive takes it a step further by mandating physical relocation. His predecessor, Yahaya Bello, also emphasized local engagement, but Ododo’s approach goes beyond rhetoric it requires active, in-person mobilization.
“Governance is not just about policies made in the capital,” Ododo reiterated in his statement. “It’s about being accessible, listening to the people, and responding to their needs.”
The CVR exercise, which INEC has rolled out nationwide, allows eligible voters to register, update their details, or transfer their voting locations. In Kogi, where voter turnout has historically fluctuated, the government’s mobilization efforts could significantly increase participation.
In the 2023 general elections, over 1.9 million registered voters were recorded in Kogi State. Despite this significant figure, voter turnout in some LGAs was disappointingly low. This reflects broader challenges in voter engagement, particularly in rural and remote areas.