Osunbor Raises Fresh Concerns Over INEC’s Credibility Ahead of 2027 Elections

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, has expressed fresh concerns over the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying some of the commission’s recent actions continue to raise doubts about its neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Osunbor acknowledged that INEC had begun to regain public trust following its handling of recent issues involving the ADC, but said two major developments were still troubling to many Nigerians.

The former Edo State governor questioned the commission’s earlier attempt to revalidate Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), arguing that there was no clear justification for the exercise.

According to him, many Nigerians suspected the move was intended to invalidate existing voter cards, thereby preventing eligible voters from participating in the 2027 general election.

“There was really no point for that attempt to revalidate voter cards, and many suspected it was an attempt to invalidate people’s cards so that they could not use those cards during the 2027 general election,” he said.

Osunbor noted that the proposal sparked widespread public criticism, forcing the electoral commission to abandon the idea.

“There was a massive outcry, and thankfully INEC saw that this was a very unpopular move. If there was any sinister motive behind it, that motive had become public knowledge. Again, that did not do any credit to INEC’s credibility,” he added.

He also raised concerns over incidents during the recent Ekiti State governorship election, alleging that voter cards were openly distributed at what he described as an APC gathering.

According to Osunbor, videos circulating on social media showed people being handed voter cards, prompting questions about how the cards were obtained and whether those receiving them were registered to vote in the affected polling units.

“During the Ekiti governorship election, we saw cards being shared out to people on social media, obviously for people to go and vote for the APC because it was an APC kind of gathering. How did those people get access to those cards that they were sharing to people who apparently had not been registered to vote in those units?” he asked.

The ADC chieftain said such incidents continue to cast serious doubt on the credibility of the electoral body and its ability to conduct elections impartially.