Atiku demands publication of 2027 voters’ register, faults INEC

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the immediate publication of the preliminary voters’ register, warning that its absence from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) online platform during the announced October 9–15 scrutiny period could damage public confidence in the 2027 general election.

Atiku, in a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said Nigerians who visited INEC’s portal to inspect the register found “an empty page,” despite the commission announcing more than 103 million registered voters.

“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 said.

The former vice-president argued that Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to display the voters’ register both at registration areas and online during a seven-day public scrutiny period.

“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 said.

The law provides that, not later than 90 days before a general election, INEC shall appoint seven days during which copies of the register for each local government, area council or ward must be displayed at registration areas and published on its official website or another designated platform.

Atiku also questioned conflicting statements over when the public display took place, alleging that INEC’s chairman reportedly said on October 5 that the exercise had been completed, even though the commission later announced October 9 to 15.

“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 said.

Dailyeconomy gathered that INEC had announced a nationwide display of the preliminary register from October 9 to 15, alongside the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, to allow voters to verify their details and raise claims or objections.

However, investigation revealed that the commission’s online portal did not display voters’ names during the announced period.

Atiku further raised concerns about Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said allows a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark if satisfied that it came from a book supplied to the polling unit.

“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,” he said.

He called on INEC to provide enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots and urged the National Assembly to close any legal loophole that leaves the authenticity of a vote dependent on an electoral officer’s “unsupported assurance.”

Atiku also addressed President Bola Tinubu directly, linking the controversy to the economic and security difficulties facing 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,” he said.

He insisted that citizens 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,” Atiku added.