Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to identify officials allegedly responsible for introducing artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities into the voters’ register.
In a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the commission’s reported admission that AI-generated images and other irregularities entered the register through its registration officers as a serious threat to its credibility.
The former Vice-President urged opposition leaders and the international community to demand an independent audit, full disclosure and accountability over the alleged irregularities.
Atiku also accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of allegedly allowing INEC to evade scrutiny, insisting that the electoral commission could not demand public confidence while shielding those responsible for the alleged breaches.
“INEC has admitted that some AI-generated images are on the voters’ register and that registration officers introduced irregularities across the country. The commission charged with protecting Nigerians’ votes has acknowledged that its own system was abused by those entrusted to operate it. This is a catastrophic failure of leadership and safeguards,” he said.
Atiku questioned INEC’s explanation of the alleged breaches, particularly its reported position that it knew how its officials tampered with the register but could not establish their motives.
He specifically referenced comments attributed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, through Boyode Lawrence, arguing that the commission’s explanation was inadequate.
“Professor Joash Amupitan, through Boyode Lawrence, says INEC knows what its officers did and how they tampered with the register, yet claims it does not know why. That is a disgraceful evasion, not an answer,” he said.
The ADC candidate also questioned the security measures protecting INEC’s information technology systems, comparing them unfavourably with those used by ordinary social media and email platforms.
“How can the database holding the votes of millions of Nigerians be less secure than a personal social media account?” he queried.
Atiku demanded that the commission disclose the evidence behind the alleged manipulation, identify every officer involved and explain why those implicated had not been suspended or prosecuted.
“If INEC knows how the register was compromised, it must disclose the evidence, identify every officer involved and explain why they have not been suspended and prosecuted,” he said.
He insisted that the commission’s leadership must take responsibility for the alleged lapses rather than withhold the identities of those involved.
Atiku Demands Independent Forensic Audit
The former Vice-President warned INEC against quietly removing questionable entries from the voters’ register without preserving and disclosing the evidence surrounding the alleged irregularities.
He said claims that more than 20 million AI-generated images might be involved warranted an independent forensic audit of the register.
Atiku also called for the identities of officials and contractors connected with the alleged breaches to be made public, alongside an independent examination of the voters’ register and relevant election materials.
“INEC has no right to demand trust while concealing evidence and shielding those responsible. Name the culprits, expose the contractors and submit the register and election materials to independent scrutiny,” he said.
He warned that the commission’s handling of the allegations could affect public confidence in the 2027 general elections.
“Until then, its assurances are worthless. The credibility of the 2027 election is on the line,” Atiku added.
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