CVR: Ilorin Emirate targets 1 million voters ahead of 2027 polls
The Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council has said it is targeting a voter base of one million in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, as part of efforts to consolidate political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is as the Council has vowed to ensure a unified front at the forthcoming General Elections with a view to delivering up to bloc votes to any political parties and aspirants that recognise its “preeminence” and align with its aspirations.
The council disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Wednesday during a media briefing led by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yakub Yahaya Oloriegbe, where it reviewed progress made since the commencement of the exercise last year.
According to the council, the target would be driven by the addition of at least 300,000 new voters to the existing over 700,000 voters base across the Kwara Central Senatorial District.
The council said its position followed a second quarter assessment of the registration exercise, noting that the process had recorded “steady and encouraging progress” across communities within the emirate.
“With the third phase of the exercise set to begin soon, we are optimistic that our collective efforts will significantly expand our voter base to an average of one million registered voters by the end of the exercise,” the council said.
The council said it had intensified community-wide mobilisation, working with traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, artisans, transporters and market associations to boost participation in the exercise.
It added that it was collaborating with INEC on voter sensitisation and enlightenment to ensure that eligible residents are adequately informed and encouraged to register.
The council commended stakeholders for their contributions so far and urged them to sustain the momentum as the exercise enters its next phase.
Beyond voter registration, the council also signalled its political direction ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the Ilorin Emirate would adopt a unified approach.
It said the emirate would support only political parties and aspirants that recognise its “preeminence” and align with its aspirations.
“We shall collectively rally behind any political party or aspirant that recognises our preeminence and reflects the aspirations of the Ilorin Emirate,” the council stated.
It added that mobilisation efforts would continue at the grassroots level, with the aim of delivering bloc votes to any platform that accords the emirate its “rightful place” in the political equation of Kwara State.
The council urged eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing CVR exercise to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing it as a key instrument of democratic participation.
It also reiterated that while the Ilorin Emirate remains open and accommodating to all, any attempt to undermine the demographic strength and political significance of Kwara Central Senatorial District would be resisted.
