Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the credibility of preparations for the 2027 general election, alleging that Nigerians could not access the preliminary voters’ register during INEC’s announced scrutiny period and demanding evidence of when and where the list was displayed.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to account for the whereabouts of the preliminary voters’ register containing more than 103 million registered voters, warning that restricted public access could weaken confidence in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council. He alleged that Nigerians who visited INEC’s online portal during the October 9–15 inspection window found no register available for scrutiny.
“Show Nigerians the register,” Atiku declared, insisting that announcing the number of registered voters was not a substitute for allowing citizens to verify their individual records.
The dispute raises a crucial distinction: the number of registered voters is not the same as a publicly verifiable register. While the headline figure indicates the size of the electorate, access to individual entries allows voters to identify omissions, challenge suspicious registrations and correct errors before election day.
Atiku also questioned an alleged discrepancy between an October 5 statement by INEC’s chairman, which he said indicated that public display had been completed, and the subsequently announced October 9–15 inspection period. He demanded publication dates, working links and access records to clarify when the register was made available.
The ADC campaign council cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, claiming that the provision requires the register to be displayed at registration areas and online. However, the allegation that the portal was inaccessible, and the precise circumstances surrounding the display exercise, require clarification from INEC before any breach can be conclusively established.
Atiku also raised concerns about Section 63(2) of the Act, which he said allows a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark under specified circumstances. He questioned how the origin of such ballots would be verified and what safeguards would protect against counterfeit voting materials.
RELATED NEWS:
The statement further criticised INEC’s reported failure to disclose the companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials. It did not provide documentary evidence identifying the contractors or establishing misconduct.
Atiku addressed President Bola Tinubu directly, linking electoral transparency to public frustration over rising living costs and insecurity. He warned that citizens should not be expected to trust an election without being able to inspect the register used to determine who can vote.
The immediate test for INEC is whether it can publish verifiable evidence of the inspection exercise and explain any access difficulties. A clear response would help distinguish a technical or administrative failure from a substantive violation of electoral rules.
With the 2027 election approaching, public confidence will depend not only on the number of names announced but also on whether voters, political parties and observers can independently scrutinise the records and challenge irregularities through established procedures.
INEC’s response is therefore central to resolving the controversy. Atiku’s allegations have not, by themselves, established that the register was deliberately concealed or that the forthcoming election has been compromised. The commission’s records and explanation are needed to determine what occurred.
For More News Updates, Visit New Daily Prime News
