Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in an unclear manner that could rob the 2027 general elections of credibility.

While not opposed to the deployment of technology to advance elections, he insisted that it should not be done without clear, transparent and verifiable procedures.

Nwankwo noted that any deployment of technology in elections must strengthen transparency and protect the will of voters, cautioning that an unfamiliar or poorly explained system could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The PLAC director spoke yesterday in Abuja at the 8th Annual Public Lecture organised by Just Friends Club of Nigeria (JFCN), with the theme, ‘From Concern to Action: Making Our Votes Count in the 2027 General Elections’.

The lecture, which brought together representatives of political parties, expressed concerns over electoral malpractices and faulty recruitment processes of political office holders.

It also examined the challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy, including economic hardship, insecurity, declining civic participation and the need to strengthen public confidence and trust in elections.

Further on the proposed use of AI in elections, Nwankwo said the legal framework and operational details must be clear to voters and other stakeholders in advance, stressing that the electoral process must remain anchored in procedures prescribed by law.

Nwankwo, who was the Guest Lecturer at the forum, warned against technological innovations that citizens and political parties neither understand nor can independently verify.

He said: “INEC needs to be careful about its so-called use of AI in elections so that it does not result in the use of technology to circumvent the vote of the people.”

Earlier, the president of JFCN, Amaechi Aloke, warned citizens against taking democracy for granted.

He urged Nigerians dissatisfied with governance or the prevailing socio-economic situation to participate actively in the democratic process rather than withdraw from voting, stressing that credible elections require responsibility from the electoral umpire, political parties and citizens.

Aloke said the yearly lecture series was established to address topical issues affecting Nigerians and contribute to national development.

He noted that the club’s decision to focus this year’s edition on the 2027 elections reflected the importance of citizen participation at a critical moment for the country’s history.

Chairman of the event and Country Director of CARE Nigeria, Dr Hussaini Abdu, blamed the middle class for their indifference to the gradual collapse of governance structures.

He underscored the importance of protecting democracy and ensuring that citizens understand their responsibility in sustaining democratic governance.