The Independent National Electoral Commission has clarified that its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a routine administrative process aimed at improving the integrity of the voter register, not a fresh registration targeting any region or political party.
In a statement on Thursday by Adedayo Oketola, spokesperson to INEC Chairman Joash Ojo Amupitan, the commission said, “The proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise is a professional necessity to strengthen the integrity of the National Register of Voters.”
According to INEC, the exercise is intended to “confirm the status of registered voters, address issues arising from transfers, multiple registrations and deceased persons, and enhance the reliability of voter data in Nigeria. It is an administrative audit, not a fresh registration. It is not targeted at any region, party, or demographic.”
The commission said the exercise would be conducted across all local government areas and polling units, with digital options provided for ease of access.
INEC also dismissed calls for the removal of its chairman following its decision to obey a recent Court of Appeal judgment regarding the African Democratic Congress leadership crisis. The commission described such calls as “not only a distraction but a direct assault on the independence of the nation’s electoral umpire.”
Oketola noted that the decision to revalidate the voters’ register pre-dates the appointment of Professor Amupitan, adding that the chairman’s appointment and tenure are strictly governed by Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution.
Meanwhile, the ADC has rejected INEC’s suspension of recognition of the David Mark-led national leadership, describing it as a direct attack on democracy. The party demanded the resignation of the INEC chairman and his entire executive, expressing no confidence in the current commission leadership.
The Kabiru Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party also raised concerns over what it described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democratic process, warning INEC and other national institutions against actions that could undermine political stability.
However, a faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala Gombe urged INEC to respect the status quo and allow him to lead the party, while the ruling All Progressives Congress dismissed allegations that it was working to destabilise the ADC, describing the opposition party’s challenges as self-inflicted.
