By Myke Uzendu
Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has raised concerns over alleged plans by individuals linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the 2027 general elections through the relocation of polling and collation centres and the introduction of fictitious names into the national voter register.
Obi through his media office alleged that operatives linked to the Presidency, working with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were being deployed to the South-East to facilitate the alleged changes ahead of the elections.
In a statement signed by Indris Zekeri Jnr. on Thursday, the office warned that such alleged activities, if established, could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and compromise the credibility of the 2027 polls.
It expressed particular concern over allegations that fictitious names could be added to the voter register, potentially creating opportunities for votes to be credited to individuals who did not physically appear at polling units or participate in the voting process.
The media office described the allegations as a threat to democratic accountability, insisting that the credibility of an election depends on the integrity of the voter register, polling arrangements and collation process.
It called on INEC to immediately clarify whether it had approved any relocation of polling or collation centres and to make details of such changes available for public scrutiny.
The office also urged the electoral commission to protect the integrity of the voter register by conducting an independent review of recent uploads and amendments.
It further called on INEC to ensure that no individual was recorded as having voted without physically appearing at the designated polling unit and completing the required voting procedures.
The Peter Obi Media Office also challenged the Presidency to publicly distance itself from any alleged plan to manipulate the electoral process and assure Nigerians that government institutions would not be deployed for partisan purposes.
It warned that any attempt to fabricate votes, alter polling locations or compromise the collation process would be challenged through lawful and democratic means.
“Nigeria cannot afford an election in which the results are purportedly determined before voting begins. The ballot must represent the will of genuine voters, not the calculations of desperate politicians,” the statement said.
The media office maintained that INEC’s credibility was at stake, urging Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 general elections.
