Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stern demand for the prompt release of the preliminary voters’ register, cautioning that its unavailability on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s online portal during the officially designated scrutiny period, from 9th to 15th October, casts serious doubt on the credibility of the impending 2027 general election in Nigeria.
In a statement released by Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku expressed profound concern, highlighting the discrepancy between INEC's announced figures and the accessible data. "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," Atiku asserted.
Violation of Electoral Act and Conflicting Statements
The former Vice-President further criticised what he described as a blatant disregard for electoral transparency. "I cannot recall a more brazen invitation to distrust the voter register. INEC announced a seven-day exercise and then failed to make the register available on the portal provided for public scrutiny. Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires display at registration areas and online. INEC does not get to treat that requirement as optional," he stated.
Adding to the confusion, Atiku pointed out conflicting declarations from the electoral body. "Worse still, INEC’s chairman reportedly said on October 5 that the public display had already been completed. Nigerians were subsequently told it would take place from October 9 to 15. 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 demanded.
Concerns Over Ballot Authenticity and Printing Contracts
Atiku also raised critical questions regarding the authentication of ballot papers, referencing Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which permits a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark under certain conditions. "What evidence will establish that origin? Who will verify it, and how will parties challenge a false claim? 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," he urged.
Furthermore, concerns were voiced about the lack of transparency surrounding the printing of sensitive election materials. "To date, INEC has yet to respond to inquiries about the identity of the companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials," the statement noted.
A Direct Message to President Tinubu
As a key stakeholder in the upcoming presidential election, the ADC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, asserted their right to demand transparency from the electoral umpire. Atiku also directly addressed President Bola Tinubu, drawing attention to the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
"Let me address Bola Tinubu directly: Nigerians are struggling to put food on the table, and too many are afraid for their lives and livelihoods. You will not add an unseen voters’ register to their suffering and call it a route to another four years in office," Atiku declared.
"You must face the people whose lives have become more expensive and less secure under your watch. You cannot hide their names from scrutiny and then ask them to trust the election conducted with that list. Nigerians have the right to inspect the register, challenge false entries and correct omissions. If that right is denied, we will challenge it in the open and through every lawful means available."
Call for International Intervention
Atiku concluded his statement by calling for immediate action to rectify the situation, urging INEC to close the "door to manipulation" opened by its current conduct. He demanded the publication of the register by local government, area council, and ward, an explanation for the conflicting dates, and the full opportunity for voters to challenge false entries and restore omitted names. "Anything less is an assault on the credibility of the 2027 election," he warned.
He also appealed to Nigeria’s international partners, election observers, and democratic institutions to publicly pressure INEC 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," Atiku emphasised, stressing that "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."