Nigeria’s 2023 Elections Updates: South South Region Leads in New Registered Voters

Nigeria’s 2023 general elections is on the course of being one of the most sought after and anticipated elections in its history. It is the seventh consecutive election since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, and the stakes have never been higher. It can be argued that the last time Nigerians organized themselves in such magnitude was during the 1993 presidential elections. In a bid to not let history repeat itself, Nigerians have made it their priority to register, so as to participate, and minimize any form of malpractices in the upcoming general elections.

What you should know about the upcoming elections?

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set February 25^th as the date for the Presidential and National Assembly poll, while the Governorship and other subnational elections are scheduled for March 11 and will be conducted under the rules stipulated by the newly signed Electoral Act 2022.

In late May, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates chose a long-time presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, as their flag bearer, he will face off against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who was selected by his party in June. Both are contesting against Peter Obi of Labour Party. 

Click to read more on the primary elections.

What do the figures mean?

Although there has been some controversy surrounding the continuous voter registration, particular with the time allotted for the process, normality has been restored following the ruling from the Federal High Courts ruling. The commission thereby extended the voter registration for until Sunday 31st July 2022, thereby bringing the total duration of the extension to 31 days (1st – 31st July 2022).

Ironically, South-South Nigeria (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers) which have been perceived as the minority holds the highest number of newly registered voters according to data released by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC).

Data shows that Nigeria has recorded 8,631,696 newly registered voters, out of this figure a total of 6,081,456 are young people from the ages of 18-34; middle aged people from the age of 35-49 hold 1,748, 993; the elderly from ages 50-69 have a total of 703,968; while old people account for just 97,279 of the newly registered voters. 

What does this translate to for each geopolitical zone?

• South South- 1,872,481 (21.69%)
• North West- 1,682,778 (19.50%)
• North Central- 1,591,435 (18.44%)
• South West- 1,536,354 (17.80%)
• North East- 1,097,140 (12.71%)
• South East- 851,508 (9.87%)

It is evident that high voter registration in the south stems from the issue of zoning (A political practice in Nigeria under which political parties agree to split their presidential and vice-presidential candidates between the north and south of the country and, also to alternate the home area of the president between the north and south of the country.) Some Nigerians are of the opinion that the presidency should go to the best candidate in the southern of Nigeria. 

Mustard Insights will keep you updated on the updated on the latest figures when the process has been concluded.