ABUJA (Realist English). Former Nigerian vice president Atiku Abubakar has called for sweeping electoral reforms, including allowing citizens to directly elect the chairman and senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His proposal comes amid opposition protests over voter registration figures released last week.
INEC reported that between August 18 and 24, more than 1.37 million Nigerians pre-registered online, with Osun State accounting for 393,823 (28.5%) — a figure that dwarfed other regions and triggered claims of manipulation. Lagos followed with 222,205, while Ebonyi recorded just 261.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the numbers as “statistically implausible” and warned of deliberate data manipulation ahead of the 2027 elections. It urged a forensic audit and called for international attention. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also voiced alarm, with deputy national legal adviser Okechukwu Osuoha pointing to Nigeria’s “weak institutions” and warning that nearly 400,000 registrations in one state in a single week defied credibility.
Atiku’s adviser Paul Ibe said the figures should be investigated urgently to safeguard confidence in the process. Atiku warned that without reforms, Nigeria risked further declines in voter turnout, citing the record-low 26.7% participation in the 2023 elections. He called for mandatory electronic transmission of results, compulsory use of the BVAS accreditation system, and tighter safeguards on INEC appointments.
INEC defended its data, insisting Osun’s lead was consistent with past exercises, including the 2021/22 CVR, when the state also topped national registration tables. Spokesman Rotimi Oyekanmi said allegations of inflated figures were “baseless.”
Meanwhile, controversy flared after a banner promoting voter registration appeared outside INEC’s Lagos office featuring President Bola Tinubu and the logo of the pro-Tinubu group Young Professionals for Tinubu. Critics argued that the banner undermined INEC’s neutrality.
Civil society groups also joined calls for reform. The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought urged a constitutional amendment barring recent party members and political appointees from INEC leadership, and imposing a five-year ban on former officials joining political parties or holding political office. Its director Sam Amadi advocated transferring appointment powers from the president to the National Judicial Council to insulate the body from political influence.
Nigeria Labour Congress president Joe Ajaero pressed lawmakers to move quickly. “It was in this country that they changed the National Anthem in one day. There is still enough time to do this,” he said.