The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and opposition parties have been embroiled in a dispute over voter pre-registration figures from the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with particular focus on Osun State’s unusually high numbers.
Opposition parties including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP), along with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have raised alarms about this surge, citing concerns that the numbers defy historical trends and demographic realities.
INEC has dismissed these concerns, insisting that the high registration numbers for Osun State are consistent with patterns observed in previous registration exercises conducted in 2021 and 2022.
According to INEC, Osun State registered 393,269 new voters online in the first week of the current exercise, surpassing other states like Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.
The commission emphasizes that all online registrations must be followed by biometric capture and in-person verification to ensure authenticity and prevent double registrations.
The ADC labeled the Osun registration figures as “statistically implausible” and called for a forensic audit to address fears of potential data manipulation or technical glitches that could undermine the integrity of the upcoming 2027 elections.
The party warned that the voters’ register is the foundation of credible elections, and any compromise could destabilize the democratic process.
The LP expressed concerns that INEC could be biased toward states perceived as strongholds of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP also highlighted institutional weaknesses and political interference that may affect the credibility of the registration figures.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar demanded an urgent investigation into the “contrived” figures from Osun State and called for reforms to enact mandatory use of technology in voter accreditation and result collation.
He emphasized the need for electoral and judicial reforms to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
Forensic experts have pledged their support to INEC to apply technology and forensic methods to safeguard the registration process from manipulation.
The disagreement illustrates the challenges faced by Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections and underscores the urgent need for transparency, forensic verification, technological upgrades, and institutional reforms to maintain electoral integrity and public trust.
