The Obidient Movement has formally rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the results collation process for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. In a statement issued by its Media and Communications Directorate, the movement demanded that the technology be excluded from this stage of the electoral process, insisting that all results must remain independently verifiable by political parties, observers, and citizens.
The movement described INEC’s proposed deployment as “reckless and unacceptable,” highlighting the commission’s admission that its AI governance policy is still being finalized. Onyeka Dike, who signed the statement, argued that Nigerians should not be treated as “guinea pigs” for an untested electoral experiment. The group emphasized that the credibility crisis surrounding the 2023 elections, which they attributed to alleged alterations of result sheets, was not caused by a lack of technology but rather a need for stronger transparency and accountability.
During a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan announced that the commission had established an AI division within its Information and Communications Technology Department. He stated that automated auditing tools would be integrated into results verification under a five-pillar governance framework that includes mandatory human oversight. However, Amupitan acknowledged that the specific AI governance framework policy is currently being finalized by the commission.
The Obidient Movement further questioned Amupitan’s warning against announcing results not released by INEC, suggesting that such warnings raise serious questions about the commission’s intentions while it pushes an unfinalized AI framework. The movement called for a clear, transparent, and independently auditable framework for all technologies deployed in the elections. Additionally, it demanded the publication of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, and EC8E on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal to ensure that votes can be traced from polling units through every stage of collation to the final declaration.
“The votes of Nigerians belong to Nigerians. No algorithm, server, software, official or political party has the right to alter the wishes of the people,” the movement stated.
In a separate development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) issued a warning against electoral rigging during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development. ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark stated that while the party would strictly comply with INEC’s rules and its Orange Book, it would not accept rigging or allow itself to be “rigged out.” Mark emphasized the party’s commitment to promoting public confidence in democracy and adhering to the highest standards of good conduct.
The visit, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, was part of the centre’s ongoing engagements with political leaders ahead of the 2027 elections. Ariwoola reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to free, fair, and credible elections, urging ADC leadership to encourage its candidates and members to comply with electoral rules and eschew political violence.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
