The chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Sir Linus Nto Mba, on Tuesday announced a statewide mobilisation initiative aimed at significantly increasing the number of residents registered for National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
Eze Sir Linus made the announcement while presiding over a meeting of the Council, which included principal officers and chairmen of traditional rulers from the 17 Local Government Areas, held at his office in the JAAC Building, Umuahia.
The decision came amid concerns over Abia state’s relatively low registration figures despite its large population.
The chairman emphasized that traditional rulers, as custodians and fathers of the people, have resolved to take responsibility for mobilising eligible citizens, particularly those aged 18 and above who have yet to register.
“Our resolve is to ensure that Abia State records one of the highest numbers of registered citizens. This exercise is not for any individual or political interest, but purely in the interest of the state and its development,” he stated.
Eze Sir Linus explained that the mobilisation drive will adopt a grassroots approach, extending from the state level to zones, local governments, and autonomous communities to ensure no eligible citizen is left out.
The Council also plans to assess the availability of registration facilities, including equipment, personnel, and logistics, by visiting relevant offices where registrations are conducted.
The Chairman underscored that the initiative is non-political, noting the pivotal role of traditional rulers across Nigeria in grassroots mobilisation for national development.
“As true fathers of our communities and the state, we will not allow Abia to lag in this critical national exercise,” he added.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers to support government efforts aimed at strengthening civic participation and ensuring accurate population data for the overall progress of the state.
