Atiku demands INEC name officials behind AI images in voter register

Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, has formally demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission identify and hold accountable those officials who permitted artificial intelligence-generated photographs in Nigeria's voter register. Through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for his campaign, Atiku characterized this discovery as a serious breach fundamentally undermining the electoral body's credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Following INEC's acknowledgment that registration officers in multiple states introduced artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities into the voter register, the former Vice President released his statement. Atiku has insisted the electoral commission disclose the names of those responsible and furnish information about any contractors hired to produce election materials.

If the commission declines to provide such information, Atiku has threatened legal action. The former Vice President has additionally requested that the commission conduct an independent forensic audit examining the complete scope of irregularities in the voter register.

He has appealed to opposition leaders and members of the international community to pressure INEC toward ensuring transparency and accountability on this matter. Atiku has held the Tinubu administration equally responsible for facilitating this crisis by permitting INEC to evade adequate oversight.

INEC's ICT Director previously detailed how artificial intelligence-generated photographs entered the commission's voter registration database through the actions of registration officers. Across various reports, the total number of compromised entries remains disputed, with several citing figures that reach into the millions.

This disclosure has triggered substantial concern about electoral integrity and the commission's supervisory effectiveness heading into the 2027 election cycle.