Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has directed all political appointees in the state to go to their respective local government areas and mobilise people for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The governor’s directive was contained in a statement issued by the information commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, on Saturday in Lokoja.

The directive also stipulated that any appointee who wished to leave for his/her LGA during the period must obtain prior written approval from the secretary to the state government, or face disciplinary action.

“All commissioners, political appointees and appointed government officials under this administration should immediately return to their respective LGAs to carry out official duties and lead grassroots mobilisation for the ongoing CVR exercise,” he said.

Mr Fanwo said that the directive, which takes effect from Monday, Sept. 1, was issued via a circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Folashade Ayoade.

“According to the circular, all the appointees of the government are to participate in the exercise with the coordination of the highest-ranking appointee from each local government.

“All appointees are expected to coordinate registration and mobilisation at the ward level and submit a comprehensive report at the end of the mobilisation period, detailing the number of new voters registered in their respective wards and LGAs,” he said.

The commissioner stressed that the governor emphasised that the era of governance, being conducted solely from the state capital, must give way to direct engagement with the people at the grassroots.

He noted that government officials must remain accessible and responsive to the needs of their communities.

Mr Fanwo said that the development reaffirmed Mr Ododo’s administration’s commitment to deepening grassroots governance and ensuring massive voter participation in the electoral process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recently commenced a nationwide continuous voter registration exercise.

(NAN)