NDC urges INEC to remove deceased Nigerians from voters’ register
NDC Calls for Clean-Up of Voter Registration Ahead of 2027 Elections
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of deceased individuals from the national voters’ register in preparation for the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Concerns were raised by the party’s National Presidential Campaign Council (NPCC) following reports that the names of several prominent deceased figures, including Raymond Dokpesi, Ifeanyi Ubah, Muhammadu Buhari, and Rotimi Akeredolu, continue to appear on the register.
In a statement released on Friday and attributed to spokesperson Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the NPCC questioned the integrity and accuracy of the current voters’ register and demanded clarification on when it was last updated comprehensively.
Additionally, the council encouraged Nigerians and political parties to exercise their rights by formally objecting to names that they believe should not remain on the register.
The NPCC also proposed that INEC establish an online portal to publish names under objection, allowing alive individuals to respond to any inaccuracies while clearly outlining the procedure for challenging disputed entries.
The statement emphasized the importance of a reliable voters’ register, stating, “Reports that deceased Nigerians, including prominent figures such as Raymond Dokpesi, Ifeanyi Ubah, Muhammadu Buhari, and Rotimi Akeredolu, still appear on the voters’ register raise serious questions about its accuracy and integrity.”
The council further questioned the scope of the issue, asking, “What about the 774 local government areas across Nigeria? How many deceased persons remain on the register? When was it last comprehensively updated? Is this an oversight, institutional failure, or something more troubling?”
It reaffirmed the legal responsibility of INEC to ensure the accuracy of the voters’ register, particularly if notified by citizens, and insisted that the electoral body provide answers to the public. “We demand a credible, up-to-date and verifiable voters’ register ahead of the 2027 elections,” the statement declared.
The NPCC highlighted the need for INEC, as a publicly funded institution, to demonstrate efficiency, professionalism, and accountability in managing the electoral register. It also called for an independent audit of INEC’s processes and mechanisms due to concerns over the credibility of the 2023 general elections.
“The 2027 election is too critical for unanswered questions about the very foundations of our democracy. INEC must do its job,” the statement concluded.
