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The City Boy Movement (CBM) has denied claims that its ongoing membership registration interferes with Nigeria’s electoral process, insisting that the exercise is voluntary and that its membership cards cannot confer voting rights or replace Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
In a statement by its Deputy Director-General, Media, Communication and Public Affairs, O’tega Ogra, the movement said the exercise was intended to build its membership database, strengthen its organisational structures and coordinate activities, and was separate from voter registration conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
CBM said registration was open to existing members and Nigerians willing to join voluntarily, with interested individuals able to register physically or through its official website.
It maintained that INEC remained responsible for registering eligible voters and maintaining the national register of voters, stressing that joining the movement neither conferred voting eligibility nor amended anyone’s details in the electoral register.
“The existence of a membership register does not, by itself, establish interference with or manipulation of the electoral register,” the statement said. The movement explained that its membership forms and cards were not electoral registration documents and could not replace PVCs or any requirement prescribed by INEC for participation in elections.
It also rejected suggestions that Nigerians were being coerced into joining, saying individuals remained free to decline membership, withdraw from the organisation and exercise independent political and electoral choices.
CBM maintained that it neither impersonated INEC nor misrepresented the purpose of its registration exercise, adding that its activities were conducted within applicable laws and did not interfere with Nigerians’ electoral rights.
Addressing concerns about the collection of personal information, the movement said protecting members’ data remained an obligation, assuring that information obtained during registration would be processed fairly, lawfully and transparently, with safeguards against unauthorised access, use or disclosure.
It said participants would receive information from its officers on how their data were processed and their applicable privacy rights, while any consent required by law would be freely given, specific and informed.
The movement said it welcomed legitimate enquiries, lawful criticism and evidence-based scrutiny, urging anyone with specific concerns or evidence of misconduct to report through its verified official communication channels.
It pledged to review complaints fairly and cooperate with lawful investigations while respecting the rights of complainants and those against whom allegations might be made.
