Nigeria’s opposition coalition, the Coalition for Democracy, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct an independent forensic audit of the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that unresolved irregularities could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The coalition, formerly known as the G100 Coalition, also demanded that INEC provide registered political parties with electronic copies of the preliminary voters’ register to enable independent scrutiny before the final list is certified.
In a statement signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the coalition, the group raised concerns over the discovery of artificial intelligence-generated photographs in the register and the reported removal of more than 1.27 million records.
It argued that Nigerians deserved clear explanations about how the irregularities occurred, who was responsible and what measures were being taken to prevent a recurrence.
Coalition Questions INEC’s Handling of Voter Records
The opposition alliance expressed concern over reports that AI-generated photographs had allegedly been inserted into the voters’ database by some registration officers.
It also questioned why the identities of officials implicated in the alleged irregularities had not been made public and why political parties had not received copies of the register for independent examination.
The coalition insisted that the credibility of an election depended on the accuracy of the voters’ register long before election day.
It therefore called for a comprehensive forensic audit, with the findings published on a state-by-state basis before December 15, 2026.
The group further demanded that any officials found culpable be held accountable in accordance with the law.
Opposition Alleges Unequal Treatment Ahead of 2027 Polls
Beyond the voters’ register, the coalition accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of creating an uneven political environment that disadvantages opposition parties.
It alleged that opposition supporters had been attacked in Kaduna, Ibadan, Sokoto and Cross River within the preceding 90 days.
The group also claimed that hotels booked for opposition delegates had cancelled reservations, campaign offices had been sealed and opposition billboards had been removed in Edo State while those belonging to the ruling party remained untouched.
In the Federal Capital Territory, it raised concerns about reported outdoor advertising charges reaching ₦750 million.
The coalition also cited an alleged incident in which a local government chairman reportedly told residents to vote for the APC or leave their community.
These allegations were presented by the coalition and were not independently established in the report.
Coalition Calls for Equal Protection of Political Parties
The opposition group urged the Inspector-General of Police to guarantee equal protection for all lawful political activities and publish the outcomes of investigations into attacks on opposition supporters in Oyo, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
It also called on state governments to stop the alleged discriminatory denial of campaign venues, political offices and advertising spaces.
According to the coalition, all political parties should operate under the same publicly established rules, without preferential treatment for the ruling party.
The group warned that restricting opposition parties from organising and campaigning would also undermine citizens’ ability to make free political choices.
INEC Faces Pressure to Restore Public Confidence
The demand comes amid growing scrutiny of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections following concerns over the preliminary voters’ register.
INEC has previously said it would address discrepancies before certifying the final register. The commission’s chairman has also indicated that the final list is expected to be released on December 15, 2026.
The opposition coalition, however, insists that corrections alone are insufficient without an independent examination of the database and public disclosure of the findings.
It maintained that a credible election requires transparent voter registration, accountability for any wrongdoing and equal opportunities for political parties to compete.
With the elections approaching, the coalition has urged electoral authorities and other relevant institutions to address the concerns promptly, warning that failure to do so could further weaken public trust in the electoral process.
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