The Atiku Abubakar 2027 presidential campaign has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against favoring the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The campaign's director of media and publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that INEC's neutrality and transparency would determine the credibility of the polls. The campaign emphasized that eligible Nigerians must be able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the registration figures to be meaningful.
Ologbondiyan reacted to INEC's World Press Conference held on Tuesday, where the commission reportedly announced impressive voter-registration figures. However, the campaign council expressed concern that the publication of registration figures would serve little purpose if registered voters are unable to obtain their PVCs. According to Ologbondiyan, what gives a citizen power on election day is not that their name is in a register, but that they have their PVC in hand.
The campaign council urged INEC to ensure that no Nigerian is disenfranchised through administrative obstacles, deliberate delays, or unequal access to voter cards. They also expressed concern over alleged bureaucratic bottlenecks and delays at PVC collection centers, particularly in areas considered strongholds of opposition parties. The council demanded that INEC decentralize PVC collection to the ward level, extend collection hours, and deploy technology to notify voters when their cards are ready for collection.
Ologbondiyan stressed that the ADC would insist on full compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act throughout the electoral process. He warned that any attempt to rig or tilt the process in favor of the ruling party would be met with lawful and resolute resistance from the people. The campaign council also warned INEC against compromising the electoral process through unequal distribution or delayed release of PVCs.
The campaign further emphasized that Nigerians have endured enormous hardship and cannot afford another election compromised by manipulation or institutional bias. The 2027 election is being viewed by Nigerians as an opportunity to effect a change of government through the ballot. Ologbondiyan said that democracy would be endangered if the electoral umpire abandoned its neutrality and became an instrument of partisan interest.
The campaign council called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to take immediate action to address the challenges facing PVC collection. They also appealed to Nigerians, particularly first-time voters, not to be discouraged by administrative challenges but to participate actively in the process and ensure that they collect their PVCs. Ologbondiyan said the ADC remained committed to a democratic process in which every eligible Nigerian would have an equal opportunity to vote and every legitimate vote would count.
The Atiku Abubakar 2027 campaign reaffirmed its commitment to a free, fair, and credible election, provided INEC guarantees an election that is free from violence or manipulation. The campaign's stance comes as Nigerians and the international democratic community closely monitor INEC's activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Key points
- The Atiku Abubakar 2027 campaign warns INEC against favoring the APC in the 2027 election.
- The campaign emphasizes the importance of INEC's neutrality and transparency for credible polls.
- The campaign urges INEC to decentralize PVC collection and address administrative challenges.
