2027 election: Atiku asks INEC to reveal firms printing sensitive ballot materials
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose the companies handling the printing of sensitive materials for the 2027 general election, raising concerns about transparency and possible political interference.
Atiku, through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, made the demand in a statement issued on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
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He also questioned reported changes involving senior officials in INEC’s Electoral Operations Department and demanded explanations for the decisions.
Atiku questions INEC’s election preparations
The former vice-president sought clarification on whether Hitech or any company associated with it had secured a contract to print sensitive election materials.
He alleged that more than half of the materials, including presidential ballot assets, might have been allocated to an undisclosed company believed to be based in France. The claims have not been independently established in the information provided.
Atiku also questioned reports that the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc was responsible for printing materials for only 15 to 17 states, with private contractors handling the remainder.
He called on INEC to publish the names of contractors, contract allocations, procurement procedures and security arrangements.
Atiku said, “Nigerians should not have to depend on unnamed sources to discover who is producing their ballots.”
Atiku warns against election irregularities
Atiku also raised concerns about reported changes in key electoral departments, including the redeployment of Isa Magaji Gum from Electoral Operations to the Voter Registry Department and the appointment of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi to head Electoral Operations.
He urged INEC to demonstrate that its appointments and procurement decisions followed due process and were free from political interference.
The former vice-president further called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to disclose banknote-printing allocations and explain the roles of domestic and foreign contractors.
He warned against attempts to manipulate the 2027 election and said the ADC would monitor INEC’s preparations.
INEC’s response to the demands was not included in the report.