by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has raised grave concern over the increasingly tense political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that Nigeria cannot afford an electoral process overshadowed by doubts about institutional integrity, intimidation of opponents and uncertainty over citizens’ democratic choices.
In a draft press statement, dated November 9, 2026, signed by its leaders, the Forum said with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the credibility of the polls is now under serious threat.
The statement was signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Chairman of SMBLF and Leader of Afenifere; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President, Middle-Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF.
The Forum said its most urgent concern is the disturbing discovery of suspected Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, duplicate entries and records reportedly belonging to unknown persons in the preliminary Voters’ Register published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the SMBLF, the revelations followed the public release of registration data and have provoked widespread anxiety about the credibility of the forthcoming polls.
The Forum, therefore, demanded an urgent, independent forensic audit of the Voters’ Register by electoral technology specialists, civil society representatives and other qualified stakeholders.
Beyond the register, the Commission must demonstrate readiness to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) reliably, protect election infrastructure, train personnel adequately and ensure transparent collation and prompt publication of polling-unit results, in accordance with the law.
“INEC must learn from previous controversies over its usage of technology in result transmission and restore public trust,” the Forum said.
The SMBLF also raised alarm over reports and video footage of attacks on political figures, including reported incidents involving the Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Mr. Peter Obi, in Makurdi, and later in other locations, as well as Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), in Ekiti State.
“Whatever their political affiliations, no candidate or supporter should face violence for participating in democratic activities. Security agencies must investigate these incidents, impartially, identify perpetrators and sponsors where evidence warrants, and bring offenders before the courts,” the Forum said.
It similarly condemned the destruction of campaign billboards, posters and other materials, describing such conduct as unacceptable and a violation of the spirit of political competition that could escalate into avoidable violence.
The Forum further urged the judiciary and all electoral institutions to act with independence and dispatch, warning that prolonged uncertainty over party leadership and candidate eligibility so close to polling day can deprive voters of meaningful choices and weaken confidence in the democratic system.
For the avoidance of doubt, the SMBLF clarified that it has not adopted any presidential candidate or political party as the collective choice of the Forum.
“Our commitment is to a peaceful, credible and inclusive electoral process in which every eligible Nigerian can vote freely, without coercion, inducement or fear,” the statement concluded.