By Obah Sylva
Public affairs analyst Dr. Ibrahim Modibbo has urged Nigeria’s opposition parties to unite, coordinate their efforts and strengthen mechanisms for protecting votes ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that safeguarding results after voting is crucial to electoral credibility.
Key Highlights
- Ibrahim Modibbo urged opposition parties to unite and coordinate efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
- He called for votes cast at polling units to be fully counted and accurately recorded.
- Modibbo stressed the importance of ensuring results announced by INEC tally with those displayed on the IReV portal.
- He identified the collation stage as a critical point for protecting election results.
- INEC has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The commission says AI tools will assist with result verification, anomaly detection and cybersecurity, with human oversight.
Modibbo Calls for Opposition Unity Ahead of 2027
Speaking on ARISE News on Tuesday, Modibbo said opposition parties must work together to ensure that votes cast by Nigerians are properly counted and accurately reflected throughout the electoral process.
He specifically called for greater attention to the relationship between results recorded at polling units and figures eventually announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“They need to make sure that all their votes are counted, the use of IReV must be guaranteed, and it must tally with the results that have been announced,” Modibbo said.
INEC currently operates IReV as its official platform for viewing polling-unit results and scanned result sheets.
‘Protect Votes After Voting’
According to Modibbo, one of the most important stages in an election occurs after voting has ended, particularly during the collation of results.
He urged political parties, their polling agents and voters to remain vigilant throughout the process to ensure that figures recorded at polling units are accurately carried forward during subsequent stages of collation.
“The people themselves have to protect their votes, and of course the political parties, particularly the opposition, have to protect them,” he added.
His comments come amid wider discussions about opposition coordination and electoral safeguards ahead of the 2027 polls.
INEC Introduces AI for Result Verification
Modibbo’s remarks also come as INEC steps up preparations for the 2027 elections with new technology aimed at strengthening its electoral processes.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan recently announced that the commission had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its Information and Communications Technology Department.
The commission has also integrated automated AI auditing tools into its result-verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework that includes mandatory human oversight.
INEC says its broader use of technology is intended to help detect anomalies, counter disinformation and strengthen cybersecurity around election results.
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Modibbo Says Technology Alone Is Not Enough
While acknowledging the potential of technology to improve electoral transparency, Modibbo maintained that technological systems alone cannot guarantee credible elections.
He called for active monitoring by political parties and citizens to identify and address discrepancies that may arise during the electoral process.
The analyst also stressed the importance of cooperation among voters, political parties, INEC and security agencies in ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted transparently.
2027 Election Preparations Intensify
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to INEC’s official election calendar.
As political parties prepare for the polls, questions surrounding opposition coordination, result transmission, vote protection and the use of election technology are expected to remain prominent.
Modibbo’s call therefore adds to the broader debate over how political parties and voters can monitor the electoral process and ensure that results recorded at polling units are accurately reflected during collation.
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