The Obedient Movement has expressed concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) plan to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the 2027 general elections. The movement's National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, stated that INEC must address unresolved issues surrounding electoral transparency, result transmission, and institutional credibility before implementing AI. This warning was issued in response to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan's disclosure that the commission had commenced deploying AI tools to detect discrepancies and administrative errors in election results.
Prof. Amupitan had revealed that INEC was fortifying its systems against AI-generated disinformation, including cloned voices of electoral officers, deepfake videos, forged official documents, and fabricated result sheets. However, Dr. Tanko argued that INEC had failed to explain the operational framework of the technology, the specific problems it seeks to solve, and the safeguards put in place to prevent deliberate manipulation or abuse. The Obedient Movement leader emphasized that the commission's proposal was premature and required more transparency.
Dr. Tanko cited a recent investigation by Mundx Analytics, which alleged that presidential results from over 50,000 polling units were uploaded via mobile phones. He maintained that technological innovation cannot substitute for institutional integrity. The Obedient Movement leader stressed that introducing AI into a system with existing failures was not electoral reform, but rather an attempt to distract Nigerians from fundamental questions of institutional independence, transparency, and accountability.
To ensure public trust, the Obedient Movement outlined key demands for INEC. The group called on INEC to publish its comprehensive roadmap for the 2027 general elections, detailing all technologies, procedures, and safety measures to be deployed. They also demanded an independent audit of the commission's existing electoral technology, with full public disclosure of findings and corrective measures.
Furthermore, the Obedient Movement insisted on a fully transparent and verifiable result transmission process. Dr. Tanko emphasized that any proposed AI tools must be subjected to rigorous independent testing and public scrutiny before implementation. The movement's demands aim to ensure that INEC's processes are transparent, credible, and trustworthy.
The Obedient Movement's rejection of INEC's plan to deploy AI in the 2027 elections highlights the need for electoral reform in Nigeria. The movement's concerns and demands reflect the importance of addressing institutional credibility and transparency issues before implementing new technologies. INEC's response to these concerns will be crucial in determining the success of its plans for the 2027 elections.
The development has sparked a renewed debate about the role of technology in Nigeria's electoral process. As the 2027 general elections approach, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how INEC addresses the concerns raised by the Obedient Movement and other groups. The outcome will have significant implications for the credibility and transparency of Nigeria's electoral process.
Key points
- The Obedient Movement has rejected INEC's plan to deploy AI in the 2027 elections, citing concerns over electoral transparency and institutional credibility.
- The movement has outlined key demands, including the publication of INEC's comprehensive roadmap for the 2027 elections and an independent audit of existing electoral technology.
- The development has sparked a renewed debate about the role of technology in Nigeria's electoral process.
