Political storm brews over PVC revalidation

The African Democratic Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Obidient movement, and  civil society groups on Sunday warned that the implementation of the voter revalidation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission could disenfranchise the electorate and damage public trust.

The ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, in an interview with The PUNCH,  pointed out that rural dwellers may be disenfranchised, citing challenges of access and awareness in remote communities.

The PDP Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong and Obidient movement National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, questioned the feasibility of the exercise, arguing that it may not achieve its intended purpose given current logistical constraints.

Civil society organisations equally warned the exercise could erode public confidence in the electoral commission and weaken trust in the electoral process, underlining widespread concern about both timing and execution.

Meanwhile, a former INEC official, Oluwole Uzzi, said the commission has the legal authority to conduct voter revalidation exercises, but cautioned that the timing of the exercise raises concerns ahead of elections.

The electoral body had announced plans to commence a nationwide voter revalidation beginning from April 13 to May 29, 2026, and aimed at removing ineligible entries and strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

In a public notice issued via its official X handle on Friday, the commission said the exercise would target the removal of “null and ineligible voters, such as deceased, non-Nigerians, underage, and multiple registrations,” in line with legal provisions.

INEC clarified that the exercise is not a fresh registration but is specifically for voters who registered between 2011 and 2024. “The exercise is part of the commission’s efforts to revise, update, clean and strengthen the integrity, accuracy, inclusivity, and credibility of the national register of voters ahead of future elections,” the notice stated.

The timing of the exercise, less than nine months to the 2027 polls, has further heightened apprehension about its potential impact on voter turnout.

However, in a letter dated April 4, 2026, and signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the commission directed all RECs to suspend preparations for the exercise, including sourcing personnel and getting INEC Voter Enrolment Devices ready.

“RECs are also directed to step down all publicity and arrangements for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives from the commission,” the notice stated.

The letter, titled,  ‘Notice of Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (Virtual)’,’ also said the meeting with RECs earlier scheduled to be held physically on Thursday, April 9, at 11:00 a.m. will now be conducted virtually via Zoom.