INEC Raises Alarm Over Foreign Influence and AI Threats for 2027 Polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stark warning that the 2027 general elections are increasingly vulnerable to Foreign Information Manipulation (FIMI), social media volatility, AI-driven disinformation, and logistical hurdles. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, highlighted these concerns during the second annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, titled 'Credible Elections and National Security in Nigeria'. The event gathered security experts, strategic thinkers, and electoral stakeholders to address these pressing issues.
Digital and Physical Security Risks Converge
Amupitan emphasized that the threats form a sophisticated triad where digital attacks intersect with physical security risks, including insurgency, communal clashes, and electoral violence. He cautioned that these combined pressures could exacerbate the trust deficit in the electoral process, undermining public confidence in governance. "It is our collective responsibility to close this gap with surgical precision," Amupitan stated, stressing that credible elections are crucial for fostering public trust and reducing post-election unrest. He called for collaboration among INEC, security agencies, civil society, and voters to fortify electoral systems against these evolving dangers.
Voter Apathy as a Growing Security Challenge
In his address, the INEC chairman also pointed to voter apathy as a significant security concern, noting a decline in turnout from 53 per cent in 2011 to 26 per cent in 2023. He warned that this trend creates a vacuum that malicious actors could exploit to delegitimize election outcomes. "Voter apathy is no longer just a civic concern but a growing security challenge," Amupitan said, citing improved but still low turnout in recent FCT council polls. To combat this, INEC has launched updated voter education manuals in partnership with organizations like the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), aimed at boosting participation and informed civic engagement, especially among youth.
Criticism of Electoral Act Amendments
Meanwhile, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mike Igini criticized the 2026 Electoral Act as a "tragedy" and a major regression that could undermine credible elections. Speaking at the same AANISS lecture, Igini argued that the 2022 Electoral Act, considered progressive, had been diluted by the 2026 amendments. He expressed concern over the judiciary's growing role in deciding election outcomes, asserting that winners should be determined at polling units, not in courts. Despite these criticisms, President Bola Tinubu signed the amended act into law in February 2026, with ongoing opposition from stakeholders.
Calls for Restructuring Before 2027 Elections
In a related development, the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement (AYDM), a coalition of about 130 pan-Yoruba groups, has urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently restructure Nigeria ahead of the 2027 polls. At a conference in Lagos, the group warned that failure to do so could deepen national tensions and threaten stability. They also insisted on maintaining the principle of power rotation, advocating for the presidency to remain in the South in 2027, and called for security reforms, including state police creation.
