Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an urgent and thorough investigation into what he brands as “contrived” voter registration numbers in Osun State, warning that Nigeria’s electoral integrity hangs in the balance. Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku expressed grave concerns over glaring discrepancies in Osun’s voter data compared to other states, demanding swift action to preserve public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun recorded a staggering 393,000 new voter registrations in just over a week during the ongoing voter registration exercise. In stark contrast, five other states combined reported fewer than 5,000 new registrations in the same period. “His Excellency is deeply troubled by this anomaly,” Ibe told Vanguard, underscoring the need for transparency.
Ibe minced no words: “Any scheme to inflate voter figures, whether in specific states or nationwide, must be rigorously investigated. We need clarity to ensure INEC’s published figures are credible, not fabricated.” He stressed the urgency of addressing these concerns to safeguard the democratic process, stating, “Swift action is critical to remove any obstacles that could erode confidence in the 2027 elections.”
Atiku’s warning echoes concerns raised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which labelled Osun’s figures as “statistically implausible” and questioned their authenticity. As pressure mounts, all eyes are on INEC to address these allegations and restore faith in Nigeria’s electoral system.
