Atiku and former INEC chief warn that AI‑tainted voter register threatens credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 elections

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of protecting officials linked to irregularities in Nigeria’s voter register. In statements released on 31 October 2026, Atiku said the commission’s admission that artificial‑intelligence (AI)‑generated photographs and other anomalies entered the register through registration officers demonstrates a serious failure of leadership and safeguards. He called for the identification, prosecution and full disclosure of evidence, as well as an independent forensic audit of the database that underpins the 2027 general elections.

The concerns were echoed by former INEC Director Oluwole Osaze‑Uzzi, who told Channels Television’s Politics Today that a compromised register cannot guarantee free and fair elections. Osaze‑Uzzi warned that without a thorough cleanup – removing deceased persons, under‑age voters and duplicate entries – the 2027 polls risk repeating the controversies that marred the 2023 elections. He also urged the commission to make the register publicly available for scrutiny.

Background

INEC disclosed that AI‑generated images had been uploaded to the voter register, attributing the breach to registration officers across the country. The admission was relayed through statements by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign council, who conveyed Atiku’s demands for accountability. Atiku’s campaign has accused the Tinubu administration of enabling the crisis by allowing INEC to evade oversight, and has called on opposition leaders and the international community to demand an independent audit.

In parallel, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan reported that the commission had received more than 5,400 claims and objections to its preliminary voter register – roughly 4,800 claims and 600 objections – as of 30 October 2026. The complaints were lodged both at registration centres where the preliminary register was displayed and through electoral officers and Resident Electoral Commissioners. Amupitan said most issues were minor corrections, and that the online display of the register helped surface discrepancies. He pledged that all valid claims would be addressed before the final register is certified on 15 December 2026.

Why it matters

The voter register is the foundational database for Nigeria’s electoral process, determining who can vote in the upcoming 2027 general elections. If AI‑generated photographs and other irregularities remain unaddressed, the credibility of the election outcome could be called into question, potentially undermining public confidence and fueling political instability. Both Atiku and Osaze‑Uzzi highlighted the risk of repeating the disputes that surrounded the 2023 polls, where allegations of fraud and irregularities sparked widespread protests.

Stakeholders affected include political parties, candidates, civil‑society organisations monitoring elections, and the electorate at large. International observers and donor bodies also monitor Nigeria’s electoral integrity, meaning the scandal could impact the country’s diplomatic standing and future assistance. The call for a public, transparent register aims to empower Nigerians to verify their own entries, thereby enhancing accountability.

What happens next

INEC has indicated that it will address all valid claims and objections before certifying the final register on 15 December 2026. However, Atiku’s campaign and the former INEC director have both demanded an independent forensic audit and full disclosure of the evidence surrounding the AI‑generated images. No specific timeline for such an audit has been announced, and INEC has not yet identified the officials it allegedly shielded. The commission’s next steps will likely involve further engagement with the ECOWAS Pre‑Election Fact‑Finding Mission, which visited INEC’s headquarters on 30 October, and possible pressure from domestic political actors and international observers to implement the requested independent review.