The Obidient Movement has rejected plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy Artificial Intelligence in the collation of election results for the 2027 general election….
The Obidient Movement has rejected plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy Artificial Intelligence in the collation of election results for the 2027 general election.
In a statement signed by its Media and Communications Directorate, the group described the proposed use of AI as “reckless and unacceptable”, particularly because INEC’s AI governance framework is yet to be finalised.
The movement argued that the Commission should not introduce untested technology into one of the most sensitive stages of the electoral process without first providing clear rules governing its use.
“Nigerians are not guinea pigs for another untested electoral experiment,” the group said, demanding that INEC immediately abandon the plan.
The Obidient Movement said the Commission should instead prioritise a transparent, auditable and verifiable system through which election results can be traced from the polling unit to the final declaration.
It also criticised INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, over his warning to Nigerians and media organisations against announcing or declaring results not issued by the Commission.
The group said although INEC has the statutory authority to declare official results, the warning raised concerns when considered alongside the proposed deployment of AI and the yet-to-be-finalised governance framework.
The movement also referenced the controversy surrounding the 2023 general election and the challenges associated with the electronic transmission and viewing of results, arguing that the experience should inform greater transparency ahead of 2027.
It alleged that the introduction of AI could create new uncertainties over how results are generated, verified and declared.
The group further raised unverified allegations about alleged political contacts involving the INEC chairman and political actors, including President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
However, the statement did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation that the INEC chairman had met the politicians in France to discuss plans to manipulate the 2027 election.
The Obidient Movement demanded that INEC publish a transparent and independently auditable framework for all technologies to be deployed during the elections.
It also called for election results to remain traceable to polling units and verifiable by political parties, observers, journalists and citizens.
The group specifically demanded the publication of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D and EC8E on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
It urged INEC to guarantee that the outcome of the 2027 elections would be determined by voters rather than technology, political actors or electoral officials.
“Every vote must count, every result must be verifiable, and the true choice of the Nigerian people must prevail,” the group said.
