Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against repeating the mistakes of the 2023 general elections as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 polls.
Amadi argued that the problems experienced during the 2023 elections were primarily caused by human and institutional failures rather than artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that electoral credibility depends on accountability, transparency and the proper management of electoral processes.
His warning comes amid growing discussions about INEC’s plans to deploy AI in certain aspects of election administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman has repeatedly called for greater scrutiny of the electoral commission, insisting that Nigerians must not place unquestioning trust in the institution.
He has also advocated a thorough examination of the 2023 elections to identify the shortcomings and introduce practical reforms before the next electoral cycle.
Amadi’s position highlights the need to address the human decisions, institutional weaknesses and accountability gaps that can undermine elections, rather than assuming technology alone will guarantee credible results.
INEC, meanwhile, has been exploring the use of AI to strengthen electoral administration, including improving logistics and identifying irregularities. The commission has also maintained that technology must not replace human oversight in critical electoral decisions.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the debate over technology, institutional responsibility and public confidence is expected to remain central to discussions on electoral reform.
