The Obidient Movement has questioned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s proposed use of Artificial Intelligence in the 2027 elections.
National Coordinator of the movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, raised concerns about how the technology would operate and the safeguards that would guide its use. He also questioned issues surrounding transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process.
Tanko made the position known in a statement following INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan’s disclosure that the commission had begun deploying AI tools ahead of the 2027 polls. INEC says the technology is intended to help detect discrepancies and administrative errors in election results.
The commission has also said it is strengthening its systems against AI-generated disinformation. According to Amupitan, such technology could be used to create fake result sheets, cloned voices, fabricated videos and forged official documents.
Obidient Movement Seeks Explanation From INEC
Tanko said INEC should explain the specific problems its proposed AI systems are designed to address. He also called for details about the safeguards that would prevent the technology from being abused.
According to him, technology alone is not the fundamental challenge facing Nigeria’s electoral system. He argued that transparency, institutional independence and accountability also require attention before the 2027 elections.
The movement wants Nigerians to understand how the proposed systems will operate before they are deployed during the elections. Tanko said greater openness would also help address concerns about the commission’s electoral processes.
The development comes as preparations for the 2027 elections continue. INEC’s published calendar lists January 16, 2027, for the nationwide presidential and National Assembly elections.
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Tanko Raises Concerns Over Electoral Technology
The Obidient Movement coordinator also questioned the commission’s management of its Information and Communications Technology systems. He expressed concern about the continued involvement of officials connected with the commission’s ICT operations during the 2023 elections.
Tanko called for greater independence and accountability in the management of electoral technology. He said Nigerians need confidence that systems used during the 2027 polls can be independently examined and verified.
The movement therefore wants INEC to publish a comprehensive plan for the election. Tanko said the document should explain the technologies, procedures and safeguards the commission intends to use.
He also called for transparent and verifiable transmission of election results. According to him, votes recorded at polling units should be accurately reflected in the final results.
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Movement Wants Independent Testing of AI Systems
Tanko urged INEC to subject its proposed AI systems to independent testing before their deployment. He also called for public scrutiny of the technology and its safeguards.
The movement said independent testing could help identify potential weaknesses before the election. It also wants the results of such assessments to be made available to the public.
The demand comes amid growing concerns about the use of AI in elections. INEC itself has warned that AI-generated disinformation could pose challenges for the 2027 polls.
The commission has previously highlighted the potential for fabricated audio, videos and images to spread during election periods. It said such content could make it harder for voters to distinguish genuine information from manipulated material.
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INEC Explains Why It Is Using AI
Amupitan has said INEC is already deploying AI tools to detect discrepancies and administrative errors in election results. He disclosed the development while speaking at the 24th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu.
The INEC chairman also said the commission had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its ICT Department. He said INEC had developed an AI Roadmap and Governance Framework to guide its use of the technology.
According to the commission, the framework is based on human oversight, transparency and accountability. It also covers data protection, cybersecurity and public trust.
INEC’s approach therefore involves both using AI for electoral administration and preparing against possible misuse of the technology. The commission has identified fake result sheets, cloned voices and fabricated videos as potential threats.
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Tanko Demands Transparent Result Transmission
Another major concern raised by the Obidient Movement involves the transmission of election results. Tanko said the process must allow Nigerians to verify that polling-unit results match the final figures.
He called for a transparent system that allows results to be traced from the polling unit through the collation process. The demand forms part of the movement’s broader call for greater accountability in election administration.
INEC’s current guidelines include procedures for electronic transmission and collation of results. The commission says its operational framework covers the scanning and uploading of polling-unit results through its electronic systems.
Tanko, however, wants the commission to provide more details about how its technology will operate during the 2027 elections. He also wants independent scrutiny of the systems before voting begins.
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Obidient Movement Calls for Stronger Safeguards
The movement also called for safeguards that would prevent the proposed AI systems from being manipulated. Tanko said INEC should clearly identify the risks associated with the technology and explain how those risks would be managed.
He urged the commission to make its procedures available for public examination. He also called for measures that would strengthen the independence of INEC’s ICT leadership.
The demands come as Nigeria prepares for another general election cycle. INEC says it is reviewing its electoral regulations and systems ahead of the 2027 polls.
The commission has also said it is reviewing lessons from previous elections. Its stated objectives include improving electoral administration, strengthening compliance and increasing public confidence in the process.
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AI Debate Continues Ahead of 2027 Elections
The disagreement highlights the growing debate over how technology should be used in Nigeria’s electoral system. While INEC says AI can help identify discrepancies and counter emerging forms of digital manipulation, the Obidient Movement is demanding greater explanation and independent scrutiny.
Tanko urged INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan to ensure that the commission’s processes remain transparent and credible. He said Nigerians should have access to sufficient information about the technologies being considered for the 2027 elections.
The movement’s demands include publication of INEC’s comprehensive election plan, independent testing of proposed AI systems and public scrutiny of the technology. It also wants transparent result transmission and stronger safeguards around electoral technology.
INEC, meanwhile, has presented AI as part of a broader effort to improve election administration and respond to emerging technological threats. The commission says its AI governance framework includes human oversight, data protection, cybersecurity and accountability.
The 2027 elections are scheduled to take place in January and February 2027, according to INEC’s published election calendar. The debate over AI is therefore likely to remain part of wider discussions about electoral technology and public confidence ahead of the polls.
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What the Obidient Movement Wants From INEC
The Obidient Movement has asked INEC to provide Nigerians with a detailed plan for its proposed use of AI. Tanko wants the plan to explain the technology, its purpose, operating procedures and safeguards.
The movement also wants independent audits and testing of electoral technology. It said the findings should be made available to the public before the systems are deployed.
Tanko further called for transparent result transmission and measures to strengthen the independence of the commission’s ICT leadership. He said these steps would help improve public confidence in the electoral process.
INEC has meanwhile outlined its own AI governance approach. The commission says its framework is built around human oversight, transparency, accountability, data protection and cybersecurity.
The discussion is now part of the broader preparations for the 2027 elections. Both the commission’s proposed technology and the safeguards surrounding it are expected to remain under public scrutiny as the election approaches.
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