Former Vice President and ADC Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the speedy publication of the preliminary voters’ register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), questioning the credibility of the electoral physique’s preparations for the 2027 normal election.
Atiku alleged that the register was unavailable on INEC’s on-line portal throughout the introduced public scrutiny interval of October 9 to fifteen, regardless of the fee’s announcement that Nigeria had greater than 103 million registered voters.
In a press release issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku mentioned the failure to make the register accessible raised issues about transparency and voters’ means to determine errors.
“INEC has announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page. That is an outrage. A figure cannot answer an objection. A press announcement cannot tell a voter whether her name has been omitted. Show Nigerians the register,” he mentioned.
Atiku cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he mentioned requires the voters’ register to be displayed at registration areas and on-line for public scrutiny.
He additionally questioned what he described as conflicting statements concerning the show of the register, alleging that INEC’s chairman reportedly mentioned on October 5 that the train had already been accomplished, whereas the general public was subsequently knowledgeable that it will happen from October 9 to fifteen.
“Which statement is true? Where was the register published? For seven full days, or for no days at all? INEC must produce the dates, the links and the records of access,” he mentioned.
The former vice chairman additionally raised issues about Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he mentioned permits a returning officer to rely a poll paper with out INEC’s official mark if glad that it got here from a ebook provided to the polling unit.
He questioned the safeguards for verifying the origin of such poll papers and stopping electoral fraud.
“Nigerians cannot be denied access to the voters’ register before election day and then be asked to accept unmarked ballot papers after voting. INEC must set out enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots, and the National Assembly must close any loophole that leaves the authenticity of a vote to an officer’s unsupported assurance,” Atiku mentioned.
The assertion additionally accused INEC of failing to reply to inquiries concerning the identities of corporations awarded contracts to print delicate election supplies.
Atiku maintained that the ADC and its presidential candidate had the best to demand transparency from the electoral fee over the procedures that will information the 2027 presidential election.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu straight, the previous vice-president linked the controversy to the financial and safety challenges going through Nigerians.
“You will not add an unseen voters’ register to their suffering and call it a route to another four years in office,” he mentioned.
Atiku additional alleged that INEC’s conduct had created alternatives for manipulation by stopping voters from checking additions, removals and omissions from the register.
He referred to as on the fee to publish the register by native authorities, space council and ward, clarify the conflicting dates and supply voters with the chance to problem false entries and restore omitted names.
“Anything less is an assault on the credibility of the 2027 election,” he mentioned.
The former vice chairman additionally urged Nigeria’s worldwide companions, election observers and democratic establishments to stress INEC to adjust to the legislation earlier than election day.
“I call on Nigeria’s international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to press INEC publicly to comply with the law. Do not wait until election day to ask whether this contest is credible. Demand access to the voters’ register now. Ask how every ballot paper will be authenticated. Transparency before the vote is as essential as scrutiny of the results afterward,” he mentioned.
He mentioned by insisting that entry to the voters’ register was basic to defending residents’ voting rights.
“The right to vote begins with the right to know that your name is on the list. INEC must stop hiding behind a blank screen. Publish the register. Open it to scrutiny. Answer the country,” Atiku mentioned.
