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The presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the immediate publication of the preliminary voters’ register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that failure to display the register raises questions about the credibility of the 2027 general election.
The former Vice President made the demand in a Thursday statement signed by Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
In the statement titled “Tinubu and INEC cannot hide 103 million names and expect Nigerians to trust the 2027 election,” Atiku said the electoral umpire’s announcement of over 103 million registered voters was not matched by public access to the register on its portal during the October 9 to 15 display period.
He said, “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 cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires display of the register at registration areas and online, and said the commission could not treat the requirement as optional.
He also questioned conflicting information on the display exercise, noting that while INEC’s chairman reportedly said on October 5 that public display had 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,” Atiku said.
The ex-VP further raised concerns about Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which permits a returning officer to count a ballot paper without INEC’s official mark if satisfied 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. INEC must set out enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots,” he said.
Atiku also said INEC had yet to respond to inquiries about companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure transparency in the process, stating, “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.”
He urged INEC to publish the register by local government, area council and ward, explain the conflicting dates on the display, and give voters full opportunity to challenge false entries and restore omitted names.
He also called on international partners, election observers and democratic institutions to press INEC to comply with the law on publication of the register.
“Transparency before the vote is as essential as scrutiny of the results afterward. The right to vote begins with the right to know that your name is on the list,” Atiku added.
