The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sounded the alarm over potential manipulation in Nigeria’s 2027 elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee a free, fair, and technologically flawless voting process.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, September 15, highlighted repeated technical failures in INEC’s systems as a threat to election integrity.
“From all available evidence, there appears to be institutional manipulation of the electoral process. Today, people running private businesses can use POS machines to buy and withdraw cash anywhere in the country.
“Bank ATMs also work virtually everywhere, handling massive volumes. So, why is it that an ATM card works in a remote village, but the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System doesn’t?” Ologunagba said.
He warned that such glitches suggest deliberate interference, adding, “If POS machines at polling units work without issues, yet BIVAS, with backup batteries, experiences glitches at the same location, it strongly suggests manipulation by INEC.
“Nigerians are now fully aware of these tactics. BIVAS, iREV, and other INEC technologies must be institutionalised and supported by law.”
The PDP stressed that voters’ rights must be fully protected, insisting on legal reforms to allow real-time transmission of results from polling units to prevent tampering.
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“We want votes to count, be counted, and reflect the wishes of the people. The only body responsible for ensuring this and safeguarding democracy is INEC, which must provide a legal framework.
“There should be an electoral amendment to mandate the transmission of election results from polling units to the portal in real time, making manipulation difficult,” Ologunagba said.
He further vowed that the PDP would actively monitor the process.
“We as a party are going to take the charge. Nigerians will not listen to any story about a glitch. There must be none because the infrastructure in the country today can support electronic transmission of results.
“INEC should be on notice that 2027 election must be seamless, it must be free, fair, transparent and there must be no glitches because as a party, we will lead the charge in this country to ensure that the process is credible and that any attempt to abridge the rights of Nigerians to choose their own leaders, of course, will be resisted.”
The warning comes as the PDP gears up for its National Convention in November, positioning itself to challenge the ruling party in 2027 with a united front and renewed focus on electoral integrity.