Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining public confidence in the 2027 general election, demanding explanations for the alleged failure to make the preliminary voters’ register available online during its announced period for public scrutiny.

Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, questioned the whereabouts of the register, which INEC says contains more than 103 million registered voters.

He argued that the reported absence of the register from the commission’s online portal during the October 9 to 15 inspection period had denied Nigerians the opportunity to verify their details, identify omissions and challenge questionable entries.

The former vice president also raised concerns over conflicting accounts of when the register was displayed, citing an alleged statement by INEC’s chairman on October 5 that the exercise had already been completed.

Atiku further questioned the safeguards for establishing the authenticity of ballot papers without INEC’s official mark, calling for clear procedures to prevent electoral fraud and ensure that political parties can challenge disputed ballots.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 permits 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. INEC must set out enforceable safeguards against counterfeit ballots, and the National Assembly must close any loophole that leaves the authenticity of a vote to an officer’s unsupported assurance.”

Atiku also alleged that INEC had yet to respond to inquiries about the companies awarded contracts to print sensitive election materials.

He maintained that the ADC and its presidential candidate, as stakeholders in the forthcoming presidential election, were entitled to demand transparency from the electoral commission over the procedures and safeguards intended to protect the credibility of the polls.

Addressing President Bola Tinubu directly, Atiku linked the demand for electoral transparency to the economic and security challenges facing Nigerians, warning against denying voters access to information needed to scrutinise the electoral process.

“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.

“You must face the people whose lives have become more expensive and less secure under your watch. 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. If that right is denied, we will challenge it in the open and through every lawful means available.