The Obidient Movement, a group of supporters of Nigerian politician Peter Obi, has expressed concerns over the planned deployment of Artificial Intelligence by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections. In a statement, the group described the proposed use of AI as "reckless and unacceptable" and argued that it could further erode confidence in the electoral process.
The movement's concerns follow disclosures by INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, that the commission had begun deploying AI tools to identify discrepancies and administrative errors in election results. While INEC maintains that AI is intended to support, rather than replace, human decision-making, the Obidient Movement argues that the commission should first address unresolved concerns surrounding the 2023 general elections.
The Obidient Movement demanded a transparent, auditable, and verifiable system that would allow stakeholders to independently check election results at each stage. The group questioned INEC's recent warning to media organisations against publishing privately collated figures ahead of official declarations, arguing that this must be considered alongside the proposed use of AI.
The movement also revisited controversies surrounding the electronic transmission and publication of results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal during the 2023 elections. They argued that the major challenge was not the availability of technology but its implementation. The group called on INEC to abandon plans to use AI unless it provides adequate safeguards and a transparent framework.
The Obidient Movement demanded that INEC publish a comprehensive framework covering every technology deployed for the 2027 elections, explaining how each system will work, who will have access to it, and what safeguards will prevent manipulation. They also demanded that results remain traceable to the polling unit and be available for verification throughout the collation process.
Furthermore, the movement called for the publication of specific election result forms on the INEC Result Viewing Portal, as part of recommendations by Mundx Analytics. This, they argue, will enable stakeholders to independently follow the movement of results from polling units through the different levels of collation.
The Obidient Movement also raised concerns about the INEC chairman's whereabouts and potential political engagements, although no evidence was provided. The group urged Amupitan to reconsider the commission's direction and take steps to guarantee greater transparency before the election, ensuring that the outcome is determined by voters, not technology or manipulation.
Key points
- The Obidient Movement rejects INEC's plan to deploy AI in the 2027 elections due to concerns over transparency and verifiability.
- The group demands a transparent, auditable, and verifiable system for election results.
- INEC's proposed use of AI has sparked concerns about its potential impact on the electoral process.
