Politics
Allow 7m Nigerians to complete voter registration or face legal action, SERAP tells INEC
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “immediately give seven million Nigerians who have carried out their voter registration online the time and opportunity to complete the process, so that they can obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs), and exercise their right to vote.”
INEC recently disclosed that out of 10,487,972 Nigerians who carried out their pre-registration online, only 3,444,378 completed the process at a physical centre. This represents just 32.8 percent of completed online registration.
In the letter dated 13 August 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The right to vote is not merely the right to cast a ballot but also the right to be given the time and opportunity to complete the registration process, so that the right can be meaningfully and effectively exercised.”
SERAP said, “Closing the gates on eligible Nigerians and denying them the time and opportunity to complete their registration cannot preserve trust in the electoral process.”
According to SERAP, “Denying a significant number of eligible voters the time and opportunity to complete the registration for their PVCs would impair the right to vote of those affected, deny them a voice in the 2023 elections, and lead to disparate and unfair treatment of these voters.”
The letter, read in part, “The failure of the applicants to complete their registration may be due to factors entirely outside of their control, especially given the well-documented challenges faced by many Nigerians at registration centres across the country.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP and the affected Nigerians shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“Unless they are given a reasonable time and opportunity to complete the registration process, and to obtain their voter cards, these eligible Nigerians will not be able to vote in the 2023 general elections.”
“If citizens’ chance to vote is denied, that would amount to violation of their fundamental right to vote, just as it would be if they were prevented from casting any vote at all.”
“The alleged failure of the applicants to complete their registration at INEC designated centres are not sufficiently weighty to justify their exclusion from the 2023 general elections.”
“Any proffered justifications of saving time and cost are therefore wholly insufficient. Administrative convenience is simply not a compelling justification in light of the fundamental nature of the right to vote.”
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“This severe vote deprivation cannot be justified by any perceived considerations of saving time, especially because Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that ‘the registration of voters, updating and revision of the Register of Voters shall not stop not later than 90 days before any election covered by this Act.’”
“Providing fresh opportunity for the over seven million Nigerians to complete their registration would promote and preserve the right to vote, and ensure that legal and eligible voters are not inadvertently and unjustifiably turned away from exercising their fundamental right to vote.”
“By refusing the over seven million Nigerians the opportunity to complete the registration for their PVCs, INEC have unfairly, unreasonably, and unjustifiably denied them the opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner as to the reasons for not completing their registration.”
“Voter distrust is apparent in virtually empty polling places on election days. Nigeria historically has had low levels of voter turnout.”
“Allowing eligible Nigerians to complete their registration would improve citizens’ participation in the electoral process, and public confidence in the electoral system, as well as the ability of INEC to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibility fairly, justly, and reasonably.”
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’”
“Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance guarantee the right to political participation, including the right to vote.”
“According to our information, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), recently disclosed that over seven million Nigerians who carried out their voter pre-registration online could not complete the process at physical centres.”
“According to a report released by INEC, out of 10,487,972 Nigerians who carried out their pre-registration online, only 3,444,378 Nigerians representing 32.8 percent, completed the process at a physical centre. 7,043,594 Nigerians carried out their pre-registration but are yet to complete the process at a physical centre.”
“This represents over 67 percent of those who began their registration process online.”
“According to INEC, a total of 12,298,944 Nigerians completed their voter registration; 8,854,566 of which were persons who did their registration entirely at a physical centre.”
“The over seven million Nigerians have already completed their registration online, that is, via the INEC online portal by providing their biodata and required documents.”
“According to the INEC process, what is outstanding for the applicants to complete the registration for their PVCs is to visit INEC designated centres for their biometric to be captured.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of allegedly plotting to discredit the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna through the circulation of fake news, fabricated documents and manipulated videos.
The council alleged that the plan involved the use of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfake videos and counterfeit documents to mislead the public and damage the reputations of President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and other APC leaders.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said the alleged disinformation campaign had been underway in the 24 hours preceding the rally.
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Alake claimed that one of the alleged attempts involved the circulation of a photograph showing a security vehicle on routine patrol near an APC campaign billboard in Kaduna metropolis.
According to him, the photograph was misrepresented to suggest that security personnel had been deployed specifically to protect APC campaign billboards.
The council alleged that a national newspaper subsequently published a report based on the photograph, which Atiku then shared on his official social media accounts.
The statement described the sequence of events as a coordinated attempt to generate attention and undermine the APC campaign.
APC Rejects Alleged ₦2.3tn Kaduna Rally Expenditure
The APC council also raised concerns over a purported letter circulating online, allegedly written by Governor Uba Sani and addressed to the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari.
The alleged letter claimed that the Kaduna State Government had released ₦2.3 trillion to host the APC rally.
Rejecting the claim, Alake questioned how a state government could spend such an amount on a political rally, arguing that the figure exceeded Kaduna State’s combined budgets for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
According to the statement, Kaduna State’s budgets stood at ₦458.271 billion in 2024, ₦790.439 billion in 2025 and ₦985.9 billion in 2026.
“The combined Kaduna State budgets for 2024 (₦458.271 billion), 2025 (₦790.439 billion), and 2026 (₦985.9 billion) are still less than ₦2.3 trillion,” the statement said.
Alake described the purported letter as fabricated and questioned the credibility of the allegation concerning the state’s expenditure on the rally.
APC Warns of Alleged Deepfake Videos
The council further alleged that the photograph and purported letter were only part of a broader plan to discredit the campaign.
It claimed that old, doctored and deepfake videos would be circulated as the rally progressed to create the impression that residents were dissatisfied with the APC and its leaders.
The council said the alleged tactics were intended to manipulate public opinion through mainstream media and social media platforms.
“We hereby use this opportunity to alert the general public about this malicious and ignoble plan,” Alake said.
He urged Nigerians to exercise caution when encountering information about the rally, particularly photographs, official-looking documents and videos circulating online.
APC Criticises Atiku, ADC
The APC Presidential Campaign Council also criticised Atiku and the ADC, alleging that they were prepared to employ various tactics in their efforts to gain political power.
In the statement, the council described the ADC as Atiku’s “special-purpose vehicle” and questioned the opposition’s approach to the political contest.
It further alleged that the former vice president and his political associates would resort to what it described as desperate measures to undermine the ruling party.
The council concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject what it characterised as a coordinated disinformation campaign.
“We urge Nigerians to be vigilant and reject their machinations,” Alake said.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to account for the ₦10 billion reportedly earmarked for Ebola emergency preparedness, demanding explanations over claims that the funds remain untouched despite a confirmed Ebola case in Abuja.
The party also questioned the government’s response to the reported case, calling for the publication of financial records and a detailed timeline of the emergency response.
In a press statement issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for focusing on defending Tinubu against criticism by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar rather than addressing questions about the emergency fund.
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The statement recalled that the Presidency announced on June 9 that Tinubu had ordered the immediate release of ₦10 billion for Ebola emergency preparedness.
However, the ADC said the APC had subsequently described the fund as “untouched”, raising questions about whether the money was released and why it had not been utilised.
“Was the money released or was it not? If it was released, where is it held, who controls it, and why has it not been used for the preparedness President Tinubu announced?” the statement asked.
The party called on the government to publish the release documents, account records and expenditure reports of the task force responsible for the emergency response.
It maintained that the administration should provide documentary evidence to clarify the status of the funds.
ADC Questions Ebola Response Timeline
The ADC also questioned the timeline of the government’s response to the reported Ebola case, seeking clarification on when the disease was first suspected and when public health authorities were alerted.
Citing the World Health Organization’s account, the statement said the patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought treatment at a private health facility on October 11, and received laboratory confirmation on October 20.
Shaibu asked the government to explain when Ebola was first suspected, when testing was ordered, when public health authorities were notified and when contact tracing began.
The party also challenged the APC’s claim that surveillance systems alerted the government to the case, demanding details of the agency responsible and the actions taken following the alert.
“The APC claims surveillance ‘tipped off’ the government. Then publish the timeline. Name the agency that raised the alert, give the date and explain the action taken,” the statement said.
The ADC further noted that the 44 identified contacts mentioned in the response required adequate health protection and monitoring.
Party Calls for Protection of Health Workers
The opposition party emphasised the need to provide health workers involved in treating the patient and tracing contacts with adequate protective equipment and resources.
It said demands for accountability over the government’s preparedness should not be interpreted as criticism of the health workers carrying out their duties.
“Health workers treating the patient and tracing contacts deserve protection, equipment and every resource needed to act quickly,” the statement said.
The party also urged the Tinubu administration to ensure that public health measures were not used to interfere with political campaigns or voting.
It called for the publication of any proposed restrictions, their medical justification and the advice of relevant health authorities.
According to the ADC, public health guidelines should prioritise the protection of citizens and should not become political instruments.
ADC Demands Accountability Over ₦10bn Fund
The ADC maintained that the government and the APC owed Nigerians an explanation over the apparent contradiction between the Presidency’s June announcement and the subsequent claim that the funds remained untouched.
It urged the administration to provide records showing whether the money was released, where it was held and how it had been managed.
“President Tinubu ordered ₦10 billion released in June. His party now says it is untouched. That contradiction came from the Presidency and the APC. They should resolve it with records,” the statement said.
The party concluded by demanding transparency over the emergency fund, a clear account of the government’s response timeline and adequate protection for health workers and identified contacts.
“Show Nigerians where the money is. Explain the response timeline. Protect health workers. Trace every contact,” Shaibu said.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for collective efforts to rebuild Nigeria, tackle corruption and end bad leadership, saying the country must work for everyone rather than a privileged few.
Obi made the call on in a statement titled “Rebuilding Nigeria” following his arrival in London from Basel, Switzerland, at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
He disclosed that his busy schedule included several engagements and meetings with stakeholders in the United Kingdom, including British government officials and members of the Nigerian diaspora.
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According to him, he rounded off the day with an evening meeting organised by the COPDEM Chief and the NDC Director of Diaspora Affairs, which brought together other stakeholders in London.
Obi said the discussions centred on the collective responsibility of Nigerians to free the country from bad leadership, corruption and a lack of accountability, which he identified as challenges undermining national development.
He noted that these challenges had deprived millions of Nigerians of access to basic necessities, including quality healthcare, education and decent employment.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that Nigerians deserved a country where every life mattered, hard work was rewarded and citizens had a fair opportunity to succeed regardless of their backgrounds or connections.
“We must build a Nigeria where the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. A country that works for everyone, not just a privileged few,” he said.
Obi expressed optimism about the country’s future, declaring that “A New Nigeria is POssible.”
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