By Muluku Mustapha
To strengthen the ongoing voter registration in Nasarawa State, Dr. Shehu El-Wahab, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, has emphasized the need for greater collaboration with traditional leaders to ensure the exercise’s success.
Dr. El-Wahab announced this during a special meeting with the Chairman of the Nassarawa State Council of Chiefs, Emir Muhammad Sidi Bage, and other chiefs in the state.
The extraordinary meeting organized by the Nassarawa State Council of Chiefs brought together all Chiefs in the state and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to brainstorm and share ideas on the best way to achieve good results on the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, as a traditional interlude was displayed to add colour to the event.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Shehu El-Wahab, the Nasarawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), explained that the purpose of the meeting was to collaborate with traditional institutions to sensitize their subjects and encourage them to take advantage of the registration exercise.
Doctor El-Wahab explained that Nasarawa State had registered over three hundred thousand people in the previous continuous voter registration through the support of traditional institutions, urging them to sustain the momentum in the ongoing exercise.
He praised the efforts of the chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs and Emir of Lafia, Muhammad Sidi Bage, for collaborating with the commission to achieve its objectives.
The State Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aminu Muazu Maifata, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Otaki, assured both INEC and the traditional leaders of the ministry’s commitment to supporting the sensitization program across the state.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emir of Lafia, Muhammad Sidi Bage, described the meeting as timely and guaranteed INEC the unwavering support of the State Council of Chiefs at all times.
Justice Sidi Bage (retired) used the platform to urge INEC to address the challenges faced during the 2023 voter registration by ensuring sufficient manpower to assist residents during and after the process.
The extraordinary meeting between INEC and the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs included discussions, questions, and answers.
Edited by Binta Nuan
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