Ezekwesili asks for independent review of INEC’s voter register

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has stated that Nigeria is unable to hold credible polls in 2027 under the current Independent National Electoral Commission leadership. She issued an open memorandum on November 3, 2026, demanding an external investigation into the voter register.

This call follows admissions by the commission's Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Lawrence Bayode, on October 30 and November 1. Bayode revealed that registration officers in various states allegedly used their credentials to input fake data, including photographs suspected to be created by artificial intelligence.

Ezekwesili urged the National Assembly to pass legislation using a "Doctrine of Necessity" to form a Citizens’ Electoral Rescue Team. She proposed that this body should perform a forensic audit and clean the database, as she argued the commission cannot be trusted to probe its own staff.

The proposed team would consist of experts in cybersecurity, forensics, and biometrics, alongside representatives from civil society, the Nigerian Bar Association, and religious leaders. She insisted that current and former officials of the commission must be excluded from this oversight group.

Regarding the internal irregularities, Ezekwesili remarked, "This is sabotage from within the very institution to which the Nigerian people entrusted the register of our sovereignty."

Dr. Bayode previously acknowledged that the internal controversy has severely damaged public confidence in the electoral body. He stated, "the trust is on ground zero."

Ezekwesili maintained that the integrity of the voter register is essential for a transparent process. She warned that if the register is compromised, every subsequent ballot is effectively rigged.