2027 Elections: Obidient Movement, ADC Reject INEC’s AI Plan Amid Rigging Fears

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) plan to integrate artificial intelligence into election results verification and cybersecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections has drawn criticism from opposition figures and concerned Nigerians, with calls for greater transparency and safeguards.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced the initiative on Tuesday in Abuja during a press conference and national stakeholders’ meeting marking 100 days to the first ballot of the 2027 elections.

Amupitan said the Commission had established a dedicated AI Division and was integrating automated auditing tools into its results verification process under a five-pillar AI Governance Framework. He added that the framework would require human oversight, while a policy guiding the technology’s deployment was still being finalised.

The Commission is also introducing AI-driven anomaly detection tools to monitor database traffic and protect its public portals against cyberattacks and unauthorised alterations.

However, Amupitan warned that generative AI, voice cloning and deepfake videos could undermine the credibility of elections by making it easier to fabricate statements attributed to election officials, manipulate result sheets and circulate fake documents.

“Generative AI, voice cloning and deepfake videos now make it cheap to fabricate the voices of election officials, doctored result sheets and fake letterheads and to spread them faster than they can be verified,” he said.

He urged media organisations to establish fact-checking desks and verify election-related information with INEC before publication, stressing that accuracy should take precedence over speed.

“In national elections, it is far more important to be right than to be first,” he said.

Despite the Commission’s assurances, critics have questioned the timing of the initiative and whether the technology can be adequately tested before the 2027 polls. They have also raised concerns about the risks of using AI in an electoral process where public confidence remains a major issue.

Obidient Movement Rejects AI in Results Collation

The Obidient Movement has strongly opposed the proposal, demanding that AI be excluded from results collation and that election results remain independently verifiable at every stage.

In a statement issued by its Media and Communications Directorate, the movement described the plan as “reckless and unacceptable”, arguing that INEC should not introduce the technology into a sensitive part of the electoral process while its governing policy remains unfinished.

“INEC cannot tell Nigerians that it intends to introduce AI into one of the most sensitive stages of the electoral process while simultaneously admitting that the rules governing its use are still being developed,” the movement said.

It urged the Commission to abandon the plan and concentrate on rebuilding public confidence following what it described as a credibility crisis surrounding the 2023 general elections.

The movement argued that the problems it alleged occurred during the previous elections, including the alleged alteration and defacement of result sheets, were not caused by a lack of technology. Instead, it called for stronger transparency and accountability measures.

It wants a system that allows results to be traced from individual polling units through every stage of collation to the final declaration, with independent verification by political parties, election observers, journalists and citizens.

The group also called on INEC to publish Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and EC8E on its INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

“The votes of Nigerians belong to Nigerians. No algorithm, server, software, official or political party has the right to alter the wishes of the people,” the movement said.

The movement also questioned Amupitan’s warning against announcing or declaring results that had not been officially released by INEC, arguing that the timing of the warning alongside the proposed AI framework raised further concerns.

ADC Chairman David Mark Raises Concerns

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has also expressed concern about the conduct of the forthcoming elections, insisting that his party would not accept rigging.

Mark spoke during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development to the party’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the ADC would comply with electoral regulations and the principles outlined in INEC’s Orange Book, while remaining committed to protecting its electoral interests.

“We are committed to playing politics in a manner that promotes public confidence in democracy. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of good conduct as a political party. We will play by the rules. But we will not accept rigging or allow ourselves to be rigged out,” he said.

The delegation was led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who said the visit formed part of the centre’s engagements with political parties and leaders ahead of the elections.

Ariwoola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections and urged ADC leaders to encourage their candidates and members to follow electoral rules and avoid political violence.

Nigerians Question Timing and Readiness

Other Nigerians have criticised the proposed use of AI, questioning INEC’s readiness to deploy the technology only months before the elections.

Businessman Rowland Osazuwa warned the Commission against introducing any process that could undermine public confidence, saying Nigerians wanted credible elections through which they could influence the country’s future.

He questioned why INEC would deploy technology while acknowledging the risks posed by cloning and manipulated content, and called for the Commission to prioritise processes capable of guaranteeing free and fair polls.

Osazuwa also raised concerns about whether the system would have sufficient time for testing before the elections. He urged political leaders and electoral officials to approach the process carefully, arguing that the credibility of the 2027 polls would have far-reaching implications for the country.

Estate agent My Gilmor Uwandu similarly questioned INEC’s technical readiness and alleged that the proposal could be used to manipulate the election in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His allegation was not accompanied by evidence in the account provided.

Uwandu urged the Commission to abandon the plan, saying any technology introduced into the electoral process must protect the integrity of the vote rather than create further doubts.

Transparency Remains Central to Debate

The controversy highlights the challenge facing INEC as it seeks to use emerging technology to strengthen election security while addressing public concerns about manipulation, accountability and trust.

Although the Commission says AI tools will support results verification and cybersecurity under mandatory human oversight, critics want clearer rules, independent auditing and greater transparency before the technology is deployed.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the central question is whether INEC can demonstrate that its proposed safeguards are reliable, independently verifiable and capable of protecting the integrity of the electoral process.