Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose companies contracted to produce sensitive materials for the 2027 general elections. He warned that secrecy surrounding ballot printing and key personnel appointments could undermine public confidence in the polls. Atiku's query came as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) raised concerns over alleged ethnic bias in recent personnel postings and redeployments by INEC.
Atiku specifically asked INEC to confirm or deny reports that Hitech or a company associated with it had secured a contract to print sensitive materials for the 2027 elections. He expressed concern over reports that the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPMC) might be responsible for printing election materials for only 15 to 17 states, with private companies handling the remainder. Atiku demanded that INEC publish the names of every company engaged, the materials and states assigned to each, and the procurement method.
The former vice-president linked the controversy to broader concerns about the independence of electoral institutions under President Bola Tinubu's administration. He argued that the government's handling of major contracts and reported changes within INEC could fuel suspicions of political interference if the commission failed to provide satisfactory explanations. Atiku also questioned the possibility of Hitech or an associated company securing a contract, citing publicly reported business ties between the Chagoury family and the Tinubu family.
Atiku urged INEC to disclose the identities of companies awarded contracts, particularly if printing was not being handled by NSPMC. He called for greater reliance on qualified domestic security-printing capacity, arguing that every ballot paper, result sheet, and other sensitive election document must be accounted for through a transparent chain of custody. Atiku extended his concerns to the printing of higher-denomination banknotes by foreign companies, urging the Central Bank of Nigeria to disclose its current printing arrangements.
The ADC alleged that some officers from northern states serving in sensitive departments had been transferred to other departments and replaced by officials from Lagos and other South-West states. The party warned that the pattern could raise questions about INEC's neutrality if not properly explained. The ADC urged INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to publish details of recent postings, the criteria used in selecting officers for positions, and the reasons behind the changes.
Atiku also raised concerns about recent personnel changes within INEC, particularly in departments responsible for election administration and technology. He said INEC should explain the circumstances surrounding the changes and demonstrate that decisions were based on merit and due process, without political interference. Atiku cautioned against presuming that any official was compromised because of ethnicity, background, or personal associations.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. INEC has yet to respond to Atiku's and ADC's concerns.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar challenges INEC to disclose companies contracted for 2027 election materials.
- ADC raises concerns over alleged ethnic bias in INEC personnel postings.
- 2027 general elections are scheduled for January 16 and February 6, 2027.
