Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Demand Forensic Audit of Voters’ Register

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct an urgent, independent forensic audit of the preliminary voters’ register to address alleged irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The forum made the demand in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna and jointly signed by its Chairman and Afenifere leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan; President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta-Mbata; and National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Ambassador Godknows Igali.

The leaders expressed concern over the discovery of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs, duplicate entries and records allegedly belonging to unknown individuals in the preliminary register published by INEC.

They said the development had raised serious questions about the commission's verification procedures and the credibility of the electoral process.

The forum called for an independent examination of the register involving electoral technology experts, civil society organisations and other qualified stakeholders to establish the authenticity of the records.

It also urged INEC to demonstrate its preparedness to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) effectively, protect electoral infrastructure, adequately train personnel and ensure transparent collation and prompt publication of polling unit results.

The leaders stressed that the commission must learn from previous controversies surrounding the use of technology in election result transmission and take concrete steps to restore public confidence.

Beyond the voters' register, the forum condemned reported attacks on political figures, including Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress.

It expressed concern over reports and video footage of attacks on the politicians in Makurdi, Calabar and Ekiti State, warning that political violence and intimidation could undermine preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The group called on security agencies to investigate the incidents impartially, identify those responsible and prosecute perpetrators and their sponsors wherever sufficient evidence was established.

It also condemned the destruction of campaign billboards, posters and other political materials, describing such actions as unacceptable and capable of escalating political tensions.

On electoral disputes, the forum urged the judiciary and other relevant institutions to discharge their responsibilities independently and without unnecessary delays, particularly in cases involving party leadership and candidates' eligibility.

It warned that prolonged uncertainty over such matters close to election day could deprive voters of meaningful choices and weaken confidence in the democratic process.

The leaders, however, clarified that the forum had not adopted any presidential candidate or political party as its collective choice ahead of the 2027 elections.

They reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, credible and inclusive electoral process in which every eligible Nigerian could exercise their voting rights freely without coercion, inducement or intimidation.