Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose the names of companies responsible for printing sensitive materials for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku warned that the failure to provide clear information about the printing contracts, procurement process and security measures could raise concerns about the credibility of the elections and weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
The former vice-president made the demand through a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
He also requested explanations from INEC over reported changes in key departments responsible for electoral operations, voter registration and information technology.
According to the statement, Isa Magaji Gum, who reportedly headed the Electoral Operations Department, was moved to the Voter Registry Department, while Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi was appointed to lead Electoral Operations. Dr Lawrence Bayode was also identified as the head of Information and Communication Technology.
Atiku argued that the departments play important roles in organising elections and that Nigerians deserve to know the reasons behind the reported changes.
He called on INEC to explain the criteria used in making the appointments and redeployments, insisting that the decisions must follow due process, be based on merit and remain free from political interference.
The ADC presidential campaign council also asked INEC to confirm or deny reports that Hitech, or a company linked to it, had secured a contract to print sensitive election materials ahead of the 2027 polls.
Atiku expressed concern over allegations that more than half of the election materials, including materials relating to the presidential ballot, might have been allocated to an undisclosed company believed to be based in France.
He also questioned reports that the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc was handling the printing of election materials for only 15 to 17 states, with private companies allegedly contracted to produce materials for the remaining states.
The former vice-president said the electoral commission should publicly identify all companies involved in the printing process and provide details of their contracts, the volume of materials allocated to them, the procurement methods adopted and the security arrangements put in place.
Atiku maintained that Nigerians should not have to rely on unnamed sources to find out which companies are producing ballot papers for an election as important as the 2027 general polls.
He further argued that any contract awarded to Hitech or a company associated with it would raise questions that INEC needed to address, citing publicly reported business relationships between the Chagoury family, which owns Hitech, and the family of President Bola Tinubu.
He also referred to controversies surrounding contracts awarded to Hitech under the Tinubu administration, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
However, Atiku said INEC should clearly state its position if neither Hitech nor any company associated with it had been selected to print the election materials.
He insisted that a straightforward clarification would help address public concerns and prevent speculation about the electoral commission’s preparations.
The former vice-president also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to disclose the allocation of banknote-printing contracts and explain the respective roles of local and foreign contractors.
He urged relevant authorities to make greater use of Nigeria’s domestic security-printing capacity, arguing that ballot papers and result sheets must be protected by strict security measures and a transparent chain of custody throughout the electoral process.
Atiku warned that Nigerians facing economic difficulties would not accept any attempt to undermine their votes in the 2027 elections.
He further alleged that the election must not be used as a means of extending the Tinubu administration’s stay in power, insisting that the credibility of the polls would be crucial to the country’s democratic future.
According to him, any attempt to manipulate the election would be resisted through voting, lawful civic action and other democratic means available to Nigerians.
The ADC presidential campaign council also pledged to monitor INEC’s preparations and draw the attention of local and international election observers to any perceived lack of transparency.
Atiku maintained that the commission must demonstrate its independence through clear explanations, verifiable information and transparent decisions as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
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