Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose the companies contracted to print sensitive materials for the 2027 general elections, warning that secrecy surrounding the process could erode public confidence in the polls.
Atiku, through his Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement issued on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, also demanded explanations for reported changes in key departments responsible for election administration.
He expressed concern over allegations that a significant portion of sensitive election materials, including presidential ballot papers, might have been allocated to private contractors without adequate disclosure of their identities, the procurement process and measures to prevent political interference.
The statement cited the reported redeployment of Isa Magaji Gum from the Electoral Operations Department to the Voter Registry Department, with Mrs Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi appointed to head Electoral Operations. Dr Lawrence Bayode was also identified as the head of Information and Communication Technology.
Atiku called on INEC to explain the appointments and redeployments, publish the criteria used and demonstrate that the decisions followed due process.
He also demanded clarification on whether Hitech, or any company associated with it, had been awarded a contract to print sensitive election materials.
The former vice-president alleged that more than half of the materials might have been allocated to an undisclosed company believed to be based in France. He further questioned reports that the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc was printing materials for only 15 to 17 states, leaving private companies to handle the remaining allocations.
“Nigerians should not have to depend on unnamed sources to discover who is producing their ballots,” he said, urging INEC to publish the names of contractors, contract allocations, procurement procedures and security arrangements.
Atiku argued that any contract awarded to Hitech or an affiliated company could generate concerns about INEC's perceived impartiality, citing publicly reported business ties between the Chagoury family, which owns Hitech, and the Tinubu family.
He also referenced controversies surrounding major infrastructure contracts awarded under President Bola Tinubu's administration, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.
“If neither Hitech nor a company associated with it has been selected, INEC must say so clearly and put the matter beyond doubt,” he said.
Atiku further urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to disclose its banknote-printing allocations and clarify the respective roles of local and foreign contractors.
He called on INEC to maximise the use of domestic security-printing facilities and ensure that every ballot paper and result sheet was protected by a transparent chain of custody.
Warning against any attempt to undermine the electoral process, Atiku said Nigerians grappling with economic hardship would resist efforts to subvert their votes.
He insisted that the 2027 elections must not be used to extend the Tinubu administration's hold on power, declaring that any attempt to manipulate the polls would be challenged through democratic and lawful means.
“Let there be no mistake: Nigerians will not accept a stolen election. Any attempt to rig the 2027 polls will be met with determined resistance through the ballot, lawful civic action, and every other democratic channel available to the people,” he said.
Atiku added that the ADC would closely monitor INEC's preparations and alert domestic and international observers to any alleged lapses in transparency.
He maintained that timely disclosure of procurement decisions, appointments and security arrangements was essential to demonstrating the commission's impartiality and building public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
