Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, has said it seems quite clear that the Independent National Electoral Commission has chosen to cover up and complicity over disclosure and transparency in the matter of the corruption of the voters register for Nigeria Decides 2027.
Odinkalu accused the electoral commission of choosing a cover up and complicity over transparency and full disclosure, following its claim that the irregularities were caused by a few rogue registration officers working in the field.
He expressed concern that INEC had failed to demonstrate the seriousness of the allegations, despite previously announcing that it was investigating the matter.
According to him, the commission has neither explained the methodology used in its investigation nor disclosed the process through which it reached its conclusions.
He questioned why INEC announced the outcome of its investigation without providing specific details about the extent of the alleged corruption.
Odinkalu demanded answers on how widespread the irregularities were, the locations affected and the number of suspected fake entries discovered in the voters register.
He also questioned what measures the commission intends to take to remove officials responsible for the alleged misconduct from further involvement in the electoral process and guarantee the credibility of the register.
The human rights lawyer warned that the absence of these details raises serious concerns about INEC’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He argued that simply blaming a few rogue registration officers does not address the wider questions surrounding the integrity of the voters register or establish whether the electoral process has been adequately protected.
However, Odinkalu identified what he considered an even more disturbing aspect of the controversy: the apparent silence and lack of strong reactions from political parties.
He expressed disbelief that political parties preparing to field candidates in the 2027 elections had seemingly abandoned the responsibility of demanding answers from the electoral commission.
According to him, the burden of raising concerns about the credibility of the voters register appears to have been left largely to ordinary citizens who simply want a free, fair and credible election.
He questioned why political parties, which stand to be directly affected by the integrity of the electoral process, had not shown greater concern or publicly demanded a comprehensive investigation.
Odinkalu said the apparent indifference of political parties was difficult to understand, adding that something about the situation did not appear right.
He warned that without full disclosure, clear accountability and credible measures to address the alleged irregularities, serious questions would remain about the reliability of Nigeria’s voters register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
