Timi Frank, a former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria's upcoming 2027 general elections. In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to adhere to the Electoral Act 2026 by not publishing the national voter register within the mandated 90-day period. He further alleged that artificial intelligence had been employed to generate fictitious names and photographs in the voter register, raising alarms about potential election manipulation.

Frank's statement comes at a critical time as Nigeria gears up for what many hope will be a transparent electoral process. He has called on the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union to intervene early, urging these international bodies to engage with Nigerian authorities to safeguard the credibility of the elections. "This is the time we expect the American government to do what they did in 2015 to ensure Nigeria conducts free and fair elections in 2027," he stated, referencing the diplomatic pressure applied during the previous electoral cycle.

The former APC spokesman did not shy away from warning that any attempts to manipulate the election results would not be tolerated by the Nigerian populace. He drew parallels between Nigeria's potential unrest and the political turmoil currently seen in France and Germany, suggesting that the consequences of election rigging in Nigeria could be even more severe. "President Tinubu and INEC should understand that any attempt to rig the 2027 election will have serious consequences," Frank warned.

Frank's concerns extend beyond just the integrity of the voter register. He emphasized that there is a growing public sentiment that the judiciary is not fully independent, which could lead to widespread discontent if the elections are perceived as rigged. "They believe they can rig the election and then tell the opposition to go to court. That will not happen in 2027," he asserted, highlighting the potential for civil unrest.

In his call for action, Frank urged INEC to investigate the allegations surrounding the voter register and provide a transparent account of its compilation process. He insisted that restoring public confidence in the electoral process is paramount to ensuring a peaceful and democratic outcome in 2027.

As the election date approaches, the pressure mounts on both the Nigerian government and INEC to address these serious allegations. The international community's role may prove crucial in ensuring that the democratic process is upheld and that the voices of the Nigerian people are accurately reflected in the election results.