Former Senator Shehu Sani has expressed concern over the low number of registered voters in the South-East, describing the situation as a major political concern for the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sani raised the issue in a post on his X account on Saturday, suggesting that the figures could be linked to inadequate voter mobilisation or residents of the region registering to vote in other states.
“The South-East has the lowest number of registered voters in the country. This is a serious political issue for the region,” he wrote.
The former lawmaker said the situation required closer examination, pointing to two possible explanations: that many people from the South-East had chosen to register and vote outside the region or that insufficient public awareness campaigns had discouraged residents from registering.
“The problem is either that many people from the region decided to register and vote in other states or there was no mobilisation and enlightenment on the need for people to register,” Sani added.
He also drew attention to the relationship between literacy levels and voter registration across Nigeria, using the North-West as an example of what he considered a striking contrast.
According to Sani, the North-West has the country’s lowest literacy rate but the highest number of registered voters.
“The North-West is the lowest in literacy rate and the highest in voter registration. A thought for political scientists,” he said.
Sani’s observations come as political parties and their supporters begin preparing for the 2027 general elections, bringing renewed attention to voter registration and participation across the country.
The South-East’s registration figures could become an important subject of political discussion as preparations for the election progress. Peter Obi, who hails from Anambra State, is also associated with the region and is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
