The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct an urgent, independent forensic audit of the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections, following allegations of AI-generated photographs, duplicate entries, and suspicious voter records.
The forum also condemned reported attacks on presidential candidates and political figures, including Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, warning that political violence could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
The SMBLF, in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna and jointly signed by its leaders, expressed concern over what it described as an increasingly tense political atmosphere as the country approaches the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The statement was signed by the Chairman of the SMBLF and Afenifere leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan; President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta-Mbata; and National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Amb Godknows Igali.
The leaders said the alleged irregularities in the preliminary voters’ register had raised serious questions about the preparedness of INEC and the credibility of the electoral process.
“Our most urgent concern is the disturbing discovery of suspected Artificial Intelligence-generated photographs, duplicate entries and records reportedly belonging to unknown persons in the preliminary voters’ register published by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” the statement said.
The forum said the revelations had generated widespread anxiety among Nigerians, insisting that the credibility of the voters’ register was fundamental to conducting free, fair and transparent elections.
It, therefore, demanded an independent forensic examination of the register by electoral technology experts, civil society organisations and other qualified stakeholders.
Beyond the voters’ register, the SMBLF urged INEC to demonstrate its preparedness to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System effectively, protect election infrastructure, adequately train electoral personnel and ensure transparent collation and prompt publication of polling-unit results.
The statement added, “INEC must learn from previous controversies over its use of technology in result transmission and restore public trust.”
On political violence, the forum expressed alarm over reports and video footage of attacks on political figures, including Obi in Makurdi and Calabar, as well as Sowore in Ekiti State.
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It insisted that no politician or supporter should be attacked or intimidated because of political affiliation or participation in democratic activities.
“Whatever their political affiliations, no candidate or supporter should face violence for participating in democratic activities,” the leaders declared.
They called on security agencies to investigate the reported attacks impartially, identify those responsible and prosecute perpetrators and their sponsors wherever sufficient evidence was established.
The forum also condemned the destruction of campaign billboards, posters and other political materials, describing such actions as unacceptable and capable of escalating political tensions.
According to the statement, “Such conduct violates the spirit of political competition and could escalate into avoidable violence.”
The SMBLF further urged the judiciary and other electoral institutions to discharge their responsibilities independently and without unnecessary delay, particularly on disputes involving party leadership and candidates’ eligibility.
It warned that prolonged uncertainty over such matters close to election day could deny voters meaningful choices and weaken public confidence in the democratic system.
The leaders, however, clarified that the forum had not endorsed any presidential candidate or political party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the SMBLF has not adopted any presidential candidate or political party as the collective choice of the forum,” the statement said.
They reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, credible and inclusive electoral process, stressing that every eligible Nigerian must be allowed to exercise their voting rights freely without coercion, inducement or fear.
