The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has instructed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to cease all publicity and preparations for the anticipated voter revalidation programme. This directive arrives as a result of growing apprehension from various stakeholders, encompassing political analysts and opposition groups.
A communication dispatched to the RECs on April 4, 2026, bearing the signature of Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, indicated that they should await further instructions from the commission. The notice also stated that the scheduled meeting between the commission and the RECs, slated for April 9 at 11 am, would now be conducted virtually via Zoom.
The INEC had previously announced a nationwide revalidation initiative intended to refine the voter register by removing ineligible entries and thereby bolstering the trustworthiness of future elections.
Opposition Rejects Exercise
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) voiced strong opposition yesterday, characterising the voter revalidation exercise as a potential 'recipe for chaos' that could lead to the disenfranchisement of millions of Nigerians prior to the elections.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party contended that requiring already registered voters to reconfirm their details less than ten months before the polls would suppress voter turnout, exacerbate voter apathy, and unfairly exclude individuals unable to travel.
The ADC also raised questions about the timing of such a significant exercise, commencing merely days before its proposed start. The party cautioned INEC against actions that could be interpreted as facilitating 'electoral manipulation.'
It urged the commission to abandon the plan and provide assurances to Nigerians regarding its commitment to a credible and inclusive electoral process.
"Coming less than ten months to a general election, such an exercise risks disenfranchising millions of Nigerians. It is already difficult enough to get citizens to register to vote in the first place. To now require them to return and “revalidate” their registration is, in effect, to ask them not to bother at all."
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, similarly labelled the planned voter revalidation exercise's timing as "suspicious."
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, informed Daily Trust yesterday that the exercise was viewed as an effort to disenfranchise many Nigerians.
"The timing of the exercise is suspicious, especially with the manner the commission has been acting. The question is, why now? Why wasn’t it done a year or two ago? This can be seen as an attempt to disenfranchise Nigerians," he remarked.
'It’s Ploy to Reduce North’s Voting Strength'
A group identified as Concerned Former Legislators, in a statement titled ‘A Call to Northern Stakeholders on the Proposed PVC Revalidation Exercise’ and signed by Hon. Ayuba Mohammed Bello, advised extreme caution when dealing with any policy that suggests selective disenfranchisement.
The statement was directed at prominent northern entities including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Arewa Elders Forum (AEF), the League of Northern Democrats (LND), the Northern Governors Forum, the Northern Caucuses in the National Assembly, traditional leaderships across the 19 northern states, religious leaders (Muslim and Christian), youth and student organisations, northern Political pressure groups, and former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd), and Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), noting their significant influence on national direction.
The group stated, "There is a growing and widespread perception across the North that this revalidation exercise is not merely administrative, but strategically timed and structured in a way that could significantly reduce the voting strength of the region ahead of the 2027 general elections."
"We write this as a matter of urgent collective concern that touches the very foundation of our democratic participation and political relevance as a people."
The group appealed to all northern leaders and institutions to actively defend democratic fairness.
"If, for any reason, INEC insists that revalidation is necessary, then fairness demands that the exercise be suspended until after the 2027 general elections, or it can be conducted only when security conditions have significantly improved, allowing full participation. Anything short of this risks undermining the credibility of the electoral process," it added.
Political Scientists Caution Against Disenfranchisement
Political scientists consulted by Daily Trust advised against measures that could disenfranchise eligible voters.
Dr Mohammed Alada from the University of Ilorin acknowledged the necessity of voter revalidation for updating the register due to factors like deaths and voter relocation, but cautioned that the process should not become burdensome for citizens.
"While revalidation is necessary because of issues of deaths, relocation and other situations that might arise, it should not be done as a form of conscription," he commented.
Alada warned that compressing the exercise into a short timeframe could lead to logistical problems and reduced participation.
He elaborated, "Within a very short time, not up to four weeks, perhaps about three weeks, many factors can hinder the process, including awareness, logistics, and institutional limitations."
Sikiru Lanre Nurudeen, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Al- Hikmah University, Ilorin, emphasized that electoral processes must prioritize inclusivity and broad participation, warning against any framework that could exclude eligible voters.
He suggested that voter revalidation and register updates should be managed to ensure both credibility and maximum participation.
Nurudeen added that the register should be continuously updated to reflect demographic changes without disenfranchising citizens.
Taiwo Otitolaye, Executive Director of Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy, recommended that INEC extend the timeline for voter revalidation.
"The time allotted is too short for people to get their voter’s card revalidated ahead of the next election."
"Continuous voter registration is at local government headquarters, and in many places there are unmotorable roads leading to remote communities. INEC should consider these challenges and extend the exercise."
Musa Aliyu, Director of Media Advocacy and Technologies Centre, described the voter revalidation exercise as crucial for strengthening electoral integrity in Nigeria but highlighted concerns regarding the short notice and limited duration.
He stated, "allocating just three weeks for voter register revalidation in a country with over 90 million registered voters is grossly inadequate".
Nick Dazang, a former Director of Voter Education at INEC, commented on the legal provisions. "Section 12(1) e of the Act states that a person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter if such a person is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law, rule or regulations in force in Nigeria."
"Also, Section 19 of the Act states that “the Commission shall, not later than 90 days to a general election, appoint a period of seven days during which a copy of the voter’ register for each Local Government Area, Area Council or ward shall be displayed or published for public scrutiny at every registration area and on its official website or any website established by the Commission for that purpose."
"This is the Claims & Objections window. After harvesting all the registrations, the commission will then run the AUTOMATED BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS software, which is used for fingerprint and facial recognition as well as to identify and remove multiple registrations."
"Remember that BVAS captures fingerprints and facials, hence the deployment of the ABIS Software."
Exercise to Strengthen Electoral Process Participation – INEC
INEC has clarified that the exercise is intended to enhance, not restrict, participation in the electoral process.
Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity, informed one of our correspondents that the primary aim of the exercise is to improve the quality of the voter register.
"Far from it, please. The expected outcome of the exercise is to have a more credible register of voters," she affirmed.
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