ADC Accuses INEC of Sabotaging 2027 Elections

The opposition party questions INEC’s handling of alleged AI-generated voter records and failure to publish the preliminary register within the statutory deadline

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately undermining its own credibility ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, citing alleged irregularities in the voters’ register and failure to meet statutory requirements.

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The opposition party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the commission’s repeated lapses had raised concerns about its preparedness and fuelled suspicions of a possible attempt to extend the election timetable.

The ADC noted that although the Federal Government had repeatedly denied plans to alter the dates of the 2027 general elections, recent revelations about alleged AI-generated photographs and fictitious entries in the voters’ register had created fresh grounds for concern.

It described as particularly troubling INEC’s admission that some of its registration officers were responsible for introducing the irregularities into the register.

The party questioned why those allegedly involved had not been arrested or handed over for prosecution, despite the commission’s acknowledgement of the misconduct.

“If INEC knows that its own officials compromised the voters’ register with AI-generated photographs, why has nobody been arrested? Why have these individuals not been handed over for prosecution? What exactly is INEC waiting for?” the statement asked.

The ADC also criticised INEC for failing to publish the preliminary voters’ register online within the timeframe prescribed by Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.

The provision requires the commission to make the register available for public scrutiny not later than 90 days before a general election.

The party further drew attention to Section 19(5), which it said makes failure by an INEC official to comply with the publication requirement a criminal offence punishable by a fine, imprisonment or both.

According to the ADC, the commission’s handling of the register raises broader questions about its willingness and capacity to comply with other mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act during the elections.

It warned that the alleged lapses could undermine public confidence in the electoral process at a time when Nigerians expect the commission to demonstrate transparency, competence and independence.

Abdullahi questioned why INEC, having had at least three years to prepare for the 2027 elections, appeared unable or unwilling to produce a credible voters’ register in line with the law.

“We are beginning to wonder whether INEC is intentionally trying to make itself incompetent.

Because how else do you explain an electoral umpire that had at least three years to prepare for elections, but is suddenly unable or unwilling to produce a credible voters’ register in accordance with the strict requirements of the law?

“At what point should we stop seeing these repeated failures by INEC as sheer incompetence and start to view them as deliberate acts of sabotage?” he asked.

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The ADC’s allegations add to growing scrutiny of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly over the integrity of the voters’ register and the commission’s compliance with the Electoral Act.