Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over recent leadership realignments at its headquarters and questionable arrangements regarding the procurement, printing, and custody of critical voting materials for the 2027 general elections.
Insisting that citizens must not be kept in the dark regarding actions that could compromise the next presidential vote, Atiku demanded swift and transparent explanations from the election umpire.
In a press statement released by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice-president asserted that administrative shifts within sensitive departments cast doubt on the commission’s neutrality, operational readiness, and transparency. The statement highlighted specific transfers, including the reassignment of Director Isa Magaji Gum from Electoral Operations to the Voter Registry, the appointment of Mrs. Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi to lead Electoral Operations, and Dr. Lawrence Bayode’s role heading the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) division.
Atiku emphasized that these offices form the bedrock of the country’s voting machinery. He called on INEC to publish the benchmarks utilized for these redeployments, prove that standard protocols were upheld, and demonstrate that the decisions were merit-driven rather than politically orchestrated. While noting that individuals should not be judged solely on background or personal networks, he argued that reported partisan affiliations necessitate explicit, verifiable reassurance.
The former vice-president also turned his focus to the manufacturing of sensitive electoral supplies, demanding that INEC clarify whether Hitech or any of its affiliates have been awarded contracts for the 2027 cycle. He referenced allegations suggesting that an undisclosed, French-based entity has secured deals to produce over half of the sensitive items, including presidential ballots, while the state-run Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPMC) might be limited to printing materials for just 15 to 17 states.
To dispel mounting suspicion, Atiku urged the electoral body to publish a comprehensive breakdown of all contracted vendors, outlining the specific territories and materials assigned to each, the procurement mechanisms applied, and the security protocols established for production and delivery. He maintained that the public should not have to depend on unofficial channels to learn who prints the ballots that decide Nigeria’s political fate.
Touching on potential conflicts of interest, Atiku stated that awarding critical contracts to Hitech or linked firms would deeply compromise INEC’s standing, given well-documented ties between the Chagoury family—owners of Hitech—and President Bola Tinubu’s family. He also pressed the agency to maximize local printing capacity to ensure a transparent, verifiable chain of custody for all ballots and result sheets.
Delivering a sharp warning, Atiku stressed that citizens enduring widespread economic distress will not permit the electoral process to be hijacked. He cautioned election officials against bending the rules to favor incumbent authorities, warning that any bid to subvert the 2027 elections will encounter firm resistance through lawful, democratic avenues.
He concluded that INEC must present clear documentation and straight answers immediately, before public confidence in the integrity of the upcoming polls is irreversibly damaged.
