By IDNN Politics Desk
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has defended its voter registration data after opposition parties accused it of inflating figures in the South-West.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party raised concerns over INEC’s claim that Osun State recorded 393,269 new pre-registrations in one week. The ADC described the figure as “statistically implausible,” noting that Osun only added 275,815 new voters in the entire 2019–2023 cycle.
ADC Acting Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi called for a forensic audit, arguing that Osun could not suddenly generate nearly 20 per cent of its eligible voters within days.
The Labour Party also voiced suspicion. Interim spokesman Tony Akeni accused INEC of “advance notice of fraud,” saying Nigerians must be vigilant ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, INEC rejected the allegations. In a statement by its spokesman Rotimi Oyekanmi, the commission said the figures were in line with historical patterns.
“Nothing can be further from the truth. The current figures mirror what occurred in 2021 when Osun also led registrations during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise,” Oyekanmi said.
He explained that Osun has consistently ranked high in online pre-registration drives, citing data from June to September 2021 when the state topped national tables.
INEC stressed that its process remains transparent, pointing out that every online pre-registrant must still complete biometric capture at physical centres before being added to the voter roll.
The commission urged parties to engage constructively rather than cast doubt on credible figures.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) dismissed the opposition’s criticism, describing the ADC’s alarm as “political noise.”
Analysts say the controversy underscores rising tensions as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 elections, with voter registration once again at the centre of disputes over credibility and trust.
