2027: Atiku Demands Publication of 103m Voters’ Register, Accuses INEC of Denying Nigerians Access

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to make the preliminary voters’ register available for public scrutiny, warning that the development could undermine confidence in the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, demanded the immediate publication of the register containing more than 103 million registered voters, alleging that Nigerians who visited INEC’s online portal during the announced scrutiny period of October 9 to 15, 2026, could not access the list.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described the alleged failure to display the register as a serious threat to electoral transparency.

He argued that announcing the number of registered voters was not sufficient, insisting that citizens must be allowed to verify their names, identify omissions and challenge suspicious entries before the elections.

“Show Nigerians the register,” Atiku demanded, questioning why INEC announced a seven-day public scrutiny exercise but allegedly failed to make the register accessible through the designated online portal.

The former vice president also raised concerns over what he described as conflicting statements regarding the display of the voters’ register.

According to him, INEC’s chairman reportedly stated on October 5 that the public display had already been completed, while the commission subsequently announced October 9 to 15 as the period for the exercise.

Atiku called on the electoral commission to clarify the discrepancy by providing the actual dates of publication, relevant links and records showing when the register was accessible to the public.

He cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said requires the display of the voters’ register at registration areas and online, arguing that compliance with the provision was essential to protecting voters’ rights.

The ADC presidential candidate further questioned the safeguards for authenticating ballot papers, referring to Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides for the counting of a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark where a returning officer is satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the polling unit.

He asked INEC to explain the procedures for establishing the origin of such ballot papers, verifying their authenticity and allowing political parties to challenge suspected irregularities.

Atiku warned that denying Nigerians access to the voters’ register before election day, while relying on an officer’s assessment to establish the origin of certain ballot papers after voting, could create room for disputes over electoral credibility.

He also expressed concern over the commission’s alleged failure to respond to inquiries regarding the identities of companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials.

The former vice president maintained that the ADC and its presidential candidate, as stakeholders in the forthcoming election, were entitled to demand transparency from INEC on the procedures and safeguards governing the electoral process.

Addressing President Bola Tinubu directly, Atiku linked the controversy to the economic hardship and insecurity facing Nigerians, warning that the government should not expect citizens to trust an election if they were denied the opportunity to inspect the list of eligible voters.

He said Nigerians had the right to verify their registration details, challenge false entries and seek the restoration of omitted names, adding that the ADC would pursue the matter through public engagement and lawful channels.

Atiku consequently called on INEC to publish the voters’ register by local government area, area council and ward, explain the conflicting dates surrounding its display and provide the full opportunity for eligible voters to scrutinise and correct the register.

He also urged Nigeria’s international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to publicly press the commission to comply with the law and ensure transparency ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The right to vote begins with the right to know that your name is on the list,” Atiku said, calling on INEC to publish the register and make it available for public scrutiny.