Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that alleged irregularities in the preliminary voter register could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso raised the concern in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, following reports of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other questionable records in the register.
He warned that failure to properly investigate the allegations could weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the polls.
According to him, the development raises serious questions about the integrity of the voter registration process and the measures put in place by INEC to prevent electoral manipulation.
“With the 2027 elections approaching, INEC must provide Nigerians with clear and convincing answers,” he said.
Kwankwaso questioned how the suspicious photographs found their way into the register, whether the individuals involved were genuinely registered and if their identities were properly verified.
He said the allegations were too serious to be treated with routine explanations, particularly as the voter register forms the foundation of any credible election.
While welcoming INEC’s decision to investigate the allegations, the former governor insisted that Nigerians deserved more than assurances from the electoral body.
He called for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation, saying the findings must be made public and anyone found responsible held accountable under the law.
Kwankwaso also demanded a comprehensive independent audit of the preliminary voter register to identify questionable entries, duplicate registrations and possible artificial identities.
He, however, stressed that the exercise must not deny eligible Nigerians their constitutional right to vote.
“Our democracy cannot afford any compromise in the integrity of the voter register. Every eligible Nigerian must have the right to vote, and every vote must count,” he said.
The former governor further warned against the use of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to manipulate the electoral process.
“Nobody should be allowed to exploit technology, including artificial intelligence, to undermine our electoral system,” he added.
Kwankwaso maintained that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend largely on the accuracy and integrity of the voter register.
“The credibility of the 2027 elections begins with a credible voter register, and INEC must get its act together,” he declared.
The warning comes at a time of growing scrutiny of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the next general election. INEC has continued to update the voter register through continuous voter registration, biometric data capture and other verification measures aimed at improving accuracy.
However, concerns have repeatedly been raised about duplicate registrations, invalid entries and the possibility of fraudulent records in the electoral database. Civil society organisations and political actors have often called for stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of the register.
Kwankwaso’s statement adds to the pressure on INEC to demonstrate transparency and reassure Nigerians that the 2027 elections will be conducted on a credible foundation.
The former Kano governor said the electoral commission must act swiftly to address the allegations before public trust is further eroded. He argued that any delay in investigating the claims could create room for suspicion and political tension as the election approaches.
He also urged INEC to strengthen its biometric verification system and ensure that only genuine voters are captured in the final register. According to him, technology should be used to improve transparency, not to create opportunities for manipulation.
Kwankwaso called on political parties, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to remain vigilant and demand accountability from electoral authorities.
He said Nigerians must not allow any individual, group or institution to compromise the electoral process through fraudulent registrations or manipulation of voter data.
The former governor’s comments are likely to intensify the debate over electoral reforms and the readiness of INEC to conduct a credible election in 2027.
As the commission continues its review of the preliminary voter register, stakeholders are expected to closely monitor the outcome of the investigation and any audit that may be carried out.
Kwankwaso maintained that the protection of Nigeria’s democracy required firm action against electoral fraud and a commitment to ensuring that every legitimate vote counts.