By Kazeem Waris
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of concealing evidence and shielding officials allegedly involved in irregularities in the voter register, warning that the controversy threatens the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, who demanded an independent forensic audit of the register, identification and prosecution of those responsible, said INEC’s admission that AI-generated images and other irregularities had entered the database through registration officers exposed serious lapses in the commission’s safeguards.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice president demanded full disclosure of evidence surrounding the alleged compromise of the register.
He described INEC’s explanation as an attempt to evade responsibility.
“That is a disgraceful evasion, not an answer. Even ordinary WhatsApp, Facebook and email accounts appear to have stronger security safeguards than those INEC’s ICT director described on national television. How can the database holding the votes of millions of Nigerians be less secure than a personal social media account?” he asked.
Atiku demanded that the commission disclose how the register was compromised, identify the officers involved and explain why those implicated had not been suspended or prosecuted.
“Amupitan cannot admit the misconduct, withhold the perpetrators’ identities and expect Nigerians to accept ignorance as an excuse. He must account for this failure now,” he said.
He also called for an independent forensic audit, citing allegations that more than 20 million AI-generated images may have been involved.
Atiku warned INEC against quietly deleting disputed records without preserving evidence of the alleged irregularities.
“Preserve every voter record, image file, access log and audit trail. Let accredited independent experts, political parties, civil society and credible international observers examine the evidence. No disputed record should be certified until the audit is complete,” he said.
The former vice president also faulted INEC over the alleged failure to disclose the companies contracted to produce sensitive election materials, insisting that secrecy surrounding the contractors and their operating procedures was incompatible with credible elections.
He demanded publication of the contractors’ identities and details of the safeguards governing their operations, arguing that opposition parties were entitled to the same information available to the APC-led Federal Government.
Atiku threatened legal action if the commission failed to provide the information and account for the alleged misconduct.
“If INEC refuses to disclose the truth, we will go to court and compel it. Every official found to have tampered with the register must be prosecuted,” he said.
He urged opposition leaders and the international community to demand full disclosure, an independent audit and accountability, accusing the Federal Government of allowing the commission to evade scrutiny.
Atiku maintained that INEC could not demand public confidence while withholding evidence and shielding those allegedly responsible.
“Name the culprits, expose the contractors and submit the register and election materials to independent scrutiny. Until then, its assurances are worthless. The credibility of the 2027 election is on the line,” he said.
