Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, has called for an independent technical investigation into suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs found in the preliminary register of voters released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the controversy could erode public confidence in the 2027 general elections.
Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer and professor, faulted the commission’s explanation of the suspicious entries, arguing that its proposed review process was insufficient to address concerns about the integrity of the voter registration system.
In a statement published on his X handle, @ChidiOdinkalu, the former NHRC chairman said INEC’s acknowledgement of questionable registration records had reinforced his doubts about its claim that Nigeria had 103.4 million registered voters.
“This week, I have argued that @inecnigeria's claim of 103.4 million voters in #Nigeria is corpulent fantasy,” Odinkalu said.
“The statement by #INEC in the past 18 hrs confirms this to be the case. The reasons given by the Commission fall between fantastical and frightening. Its proposed remedies cannot enjoy public confidence.”
His reaction followed a press statement issued by INEC on Tuesday, October 27, in response to reports circulating on social media about suspected AI-generated photographs in the preliminary register of voters published on its website.
The commission acknowledged that questionable registration records had been identified and flagged during the physical display of the preliminary register at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15.
INEC said it had commenced a review of the affected records and was taking steps to make appropriate corrections in line with established procedures.
It also disclosed that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspicious photographs, including possible technical or procedural lapses.
However, Odinkalu argued that the commission’s explanation did not adequately address how the questionable photographs entered a registration system that requires prospective voters to appear physically for photographic capture.
According to him, the nature of the registration procedure raises concerns about possible internal involvement in any breach of the system.
“The Commission now acknowledges multiple dubious entries that look like they are #AIGenerated and merely says it is ‘examining the circumstances surrounding’ their occurrence, ‘including possible technical and procedural lapses’.
“This is not good enough,” he said.
Odinkalu maintained that a breach of the registration process could constitute prima facie evidence that the commission had been compromised, although he did not present specific evidence identifying those responsible for the suspicious entries.
“Data breach of any sort in this process simply means an #InsideJob. In other words, it would be #PrimaFacie evidence that the Commission is compromised,” he stated.
He further questioned the credibility of allowing INEC to rely on its existing procedures to investigate and correct the disputed records, warning that such an approach could lead to a cover-up rather than a credible resolution.
“Trusting the same compromised system or process to correct this is a sure guarantee of a #WhiteWash. It will compound complicity with #CoverUp,” he added.
The professor called for an independent technical review and reconciliation of the voter register, insisting that the process should be open to scrutiny by political parties and other stakeholders.
He proposed that all registered political parties fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections should be allowed to deploy representatives to observe the exercise.
He also recommended the involvement of organised labour, media organisations and civil society groups, including faith-based institutions, to strengthen transparency and public confidence.
“What this needs is an independent technical review and reconciliation in a process that affords observer capacity to all the registered political parties fielding candidates in the #NigeriaDecides2027, together with representatives of organised labour, media, and civics (including faith entities),” Odinkalu said.
He acknowledged that the proposed arrangement might not be perfect but argued that it would raise the credibility threshold of the exercise under the circumstances.
The former NHRC chairman warned that failure to adopt a more transparent process could deepen doubts about the credibility of the next general elections.
“Anything less and the first shots have been fired in an election designed to be lacking in both credibility and public trust,” he said.
In its statement, INEC sought to clarify that the preliminary register published online on October 26 was the same document physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15 as part of the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
The commission explained that the online publication contained the original preliminary register and did not reflect all the data-cleanup activities already under way.
It stressed that the register was not the final certified version, adding that the display exercise was intended to enable citizens and stakeholders to identify inaccuracies and irregularities before the records were certified.
INEC assured Nigerians that verified irregularities would be addressed through the applicable procedures and promised further updates as the review progressed.
It said the verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes would be completed ahead of the scheduled certification of the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee.
The controversy has placed renewed attention on the accuracy of Nigeria’s voter register, a critical component of the electoral process, as political parties and electoral stakeholders prepare for the 2027 polls.
While INEC maintains that the preliminary register remains open to scrutiny and correction, Odinkalu argues that an independent investigation, with broad stakeholder participation, is necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspicious entries and restore public confidence in the process.
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