Abuja, Nigeria — Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to further extend the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, arguing that more eligible Nigerians should be given the opportunity to register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday, just days before the July 26 deadline set by INEC for the conclusion of the nationwide voter registration exercise.

The electoral commission had resumed the second phase of the CVR in January 2026 after concluding the first phase on December 10, 2025. Earlier this month, INEC extended the exercise from its original July 10 deadline to July 26 following consultations with state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

Despite the extension, Obi urged the commission to push the registration deadline further to the latest practicable date that would still allow sufficient time to compile a credible voters’ register before the 2027 polls.

According to him, thousands of Nigerians attain the constitutional voting age of 18 every day and should not be excluded from participating in the electoral process because voter registration closes long before the elections.

“As we continue to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in our democracy, I respectfully appeal to INEC to consider extending the voter registration window to the latest practical date that still allows adequate time for the preparation of a credible voters’ register before the 2027 general elections,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that young Nigerians represent both the future and the present of the country, warning that denying them the opportunity to register would amount to limiting their constitutional rights.

“Every day, more young Nigerians attain the age of 18 and become constitutionally eligible to vote. They are not just our future; they are stakeholders in our present. It would be unfortunate if many of them were denied the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility simply because the registration process closed long before the elections,” he added.

Obi also referenced a Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 22, 2022, in the case Anaja Salmat & 3 Others v. INEC (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1342/2022). The court held that voter registration should continue until 90 days before a general election in order to safeguard the constitutional voting rights of eligible Nigerians.

While acknowledging INEC’s responsibility to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, Obi maintained that the electoral process should prioritize broad participation rather than restrict eligible voters.

“Our electoral process should, as much as possible, maximise participation rather than limit it. A democracy is strengthened when every eligible citizen has the opportunity to be heard,” he stated.

He further urged the electoral umpire to adopt a registration timeline that balances the integrity of the electoral process with the need to ensure that no qualified Nigerian is unnecessarily disenfranchised.

INEC has yet to respond to Obi’s latest appeal as the July 26 registration deadline approaches.