ADC Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar
Paul Ibe, media aide to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the voters’ register, accusing the electoral body of failing to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
In a post shared on his official X account, Ibe argued that INEC should be held to the same legal standards it expects political parties and candidates to meet.
“When parties or candidates miss electoral deadlines, they risk exclusion. Why should @inecnigeria expect indulgence when it fails to meet its own legal obligations?” he asked.
Citing the Electoral Act 2026, Ibe said the commission was required to make the voters’ register available both physically and online within the timeline prescribed by law.
“Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires physical display and online publication of the voters’ register for public scrutiny within the stipulated 90-day timeline. Physical display alone does not satisfy both requirements.”
He questioned INEC’s explanation that it was preparing a cleaner version of the register for publication later in the year.
“INEC’s explanation that it is preparing a clean register for December does not answer the question: where was the register published online, and when?”
According to him, completing other aspects of the election timetable does not excuse failure to comply with a statutory obligation.
“Completing nine of 14 scheduled activities cannot excuse failure to comply with a statutory requirement.”
Ibe further said public confidence in the electoral process depends on the commission’s willingness to obey the law.
“If INEC cannot demonstrate obedience to electoral law by publishing the voters’ register online before voting begins, what confidence should Nigerians place in its promise of free, fair and credible elections?”
The comments come amid growing political attention on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections. The commission has maintained that it is implementing its election timetable and has previously said work is ongoing to produce a clean and credible voters’ register.
The Electoral Act requires the display of the voters’ register to allow eligible Nigerians verify their details and report errors before the final register is certified for elections. The process is regarded as a key step in promoting transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
Political parties and civil society organisations have continued to monitor INEC’s compliance with electoral laws as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
