The Association of Igbo Town Unions (AITU) has called on all eligible indigenes of the South-East region to go out and obtain their voter cards ahead of future elections. The group said active participation in voter registration is important to ensure that the people of the region are properly represented in the country’s democratic process.
This directive was part of the resolutions reached during an enlarged executive meeting of the Abia State chapter of the association held in Umuahia over the weekend. The meeting was convened to review and discuss key issues affecting the people of the South-East geopolitical zone and to find ways to strengthen civic participation among residents.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, the President of AITU in Abia State, Chief George Mgborukwe, explained that the leadership of the association has also directed town union leaders at all levels to monitor, supervise and encourage voter registration in their various communities. According to him, grassroots mobilisation will help ensure that more people take part in the process.
Chief Mgborukwe noted that the decision became necessary because of the low number of registered voters from the South-East during the last voter registration exercise. He stressed that voter registration is a shared responsibility and urged all eligible citizens of the region to take it seriously for the sake of the region’s political future.
He further emphasized that voter cards play a vital role in a democratic system, as they give citizens the power to either retain leaders who perform well or vote them out of office during elections. He said this makes it important for every qualified adult to register and participate in the electoral process.
The AITU president also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, village heads, political office holders, the media and other community stakeholders to help raise awareness about the importance of voter registration. He said their support in sensitising and mobilising the people would greatly improve participation across the region.
Some members of the executive council who also spoke at the meeting revealed that the association has been closely monitoring the performance of political leaders across the South-East. They said the group will, at the appropriate time, make its position known to its members regarding the leadership situation in the region.
They also advised political office holders to remain committed to good governance and to focus on policies and programmes that will positively impact the lives and welfare of the people.
The meeting attracted the participation of more than 100 delegates drawn from the 17 local government areas of Abia State, making it one of the well-attended gatherings of the association in recent times.
