The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) has questioned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) planned deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the 2027 general elections, alleging that the technology could be used to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The NDC spokesman, Osa Director, stated this in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja
Director said the party was worried that INEC was considering the use of AI without first testing the technology during off-cycle elections.
He argued that such a major change to the electoral process should not be introduced for a general election without adequate public scrutiny and practical trials.
The NDC spokesman also expressed doubts about the timing of the proposed deployment, saying it has created suspicion among many Nigerians.
He said, “INEC is plotting to rig the 2027 general elections in favour of the ruinous APC by deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI). Suddenly, AI has become an attractive tool for the election management body.”
“For a nation that has not been able to use AI to solve its intractable security challenges, is it the problem of electing public officers that it can now resolve with AI?”
The NDC spokesman further stated, “Not even a test run of the efficiency, or otherwise, of AI tools in off-cycle elections? Why did INEC not test-run AI in the Osun polls? Why the hurry to use AI in the forthcoming general elections, just less than 100 days away? Something is amiss.”
The party called on Nigerians and members of the international community to pay close attention to developments ahead of the elections.
He said: “All men and women of good conscience and the international community must rise to checkmate this diabolical plot by INEC.”