Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to identify and prosecute officials allegedly responsible for irregularities in the voter register, including the introduction of artificial intelligence-generated images.
Atiku described INEC’s admission that registration officers compromised the voter register as a major scandal that undermines public confidence in the electoral body.
He made the remarks in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku said INEC had acknowledged that AI-generated images were found in the voter register and that some registration officers introduced irregularities across the country.
“INEC has admitted that some AI generated images are on the voter 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.
He also criticised INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, over the Commission’s explanation of the alleged compromise, accusing the electoral body of withholding crucial information about the officers involved.
“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,” Atiku said.
He questioned the security of INEC’s information technology systems, arguing that the database containing the details of millions of voters should have stronger safeguards.
Atiku demanded that the Commission disclose the evidence, identify the officials involved and explain why they 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. Amupitan cannot admit the misconduct, withhold the perpetrators’ identities and expect Nigerians to accept ignorance as an excuse. He must account for this failure now,” he added.
The former vice president also called for an independent forensic audit of the voter register, following allegations that more than 20 million AI-generated images could be involved.
He urged INEC to preserve all voter records, image files, access logs and audit trails, while allowing accredited independent experts, political parties, civil society organisations and credible international observers to examine the materials.
“INEC must not quietly ‘clean up’ the register and bury the evidence. The allegation that more than 20 million AI generated images may be involved demands an independent forensic audit,” he said.
Atiku further accused INEC of failing to address opposition parties’ demands for the disclosure of companies contracted to produce sensitive election materials.
He insisted that the identities of the contractors and the security measures governing their operations must be made public, arguing that secrecy surrounding the contracts could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
“If the APC government knows who is handling these materials and what protocols apply, opposition parties must receive the same information. Publish the contractors’ identities and explain the safeguards governing their work,” he said.
Atiku threatened legal action if INEC failed to disclose the requested information, insisting that any official found to have tampered with the voter register must face prosecution.
“If INEC refuses to disclose the truth, we will go to court and compel it. Every official found to have tampered with the register must be prosecuted,” he stated.
He also urged opposition leaders and the international community to demand an independent audit, full disclosure and accountability, while accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of allowing INEC to evade scrutiny.
“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. Until then, its assurances are worthless. The credibility of the 2027 election is on the line,” the statement added.
