The Village Boys Movement (VBM) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, and the Commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode.
The demand followings revelations about irregularities in the preliminary voters’ register ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
In a statement dated October 30, 2026, and issued in Abuja, the organisation also called for the arrest and prosecution of any electoral officials found to have introduced, facilitated or knowingly permitted falsified information into the register.
The demands followed Bayode’s appearance on ARISE News, during which he reportedly disclosed that some registration officers across the country had used their authorised login credentials to introduce questionable records into INEC’s registration database.
According to a report on Friday, October 30, Bayode said the Commission’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) helped identify the irregularities.
He explained that some photographs were AI-generated, while others resulted from poor registration procedures.
The disclosure has intensified public scrutiny of the electoral commission’s data-management systems and raised questions about the controls governing access to the national voters’ register.
VBM: This is a serious breach of public trust
In its statement signed by Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, identified as the Village Headmaster of the Village Boys Movement, the organisation described the reported irregularities as a serious breach of public trust rather than a routine technical malfunction.
The movement argued that the integrity of the voters’ register is fundamental to credible elections and questioned how questionable records could enter INEC’s database through the accounts of officials authorised to register voters.
It also questioned whether the Commission had identified the officers involved and the specific access points through which the irregularities occurred.
According to the organisation, Nigerians deserve more than assurances that the problems will be corrected. It insists that the circumstances surrounding the entries must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.
Five demands issued by the Village Boys Movement
The movement outlined five major demands:
1. Immediate resignation of INEC chairman and ICT director
VBM called on Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan and Dr Lawrence Bayode to resign pending a full and independent investigation.
It argued that the controversy had raised serious questions about institutional leadership and the integrity of the technological systems under their supervision.
The demand is the organisation’s position; neither official has been established as personally responsible for inserting fraudulent records.
2. Arrest and prosecution of implicated officials
The movement called for investigations into registration officers, technical personnel and other officials suspected of introducing or facilitating falsified information into the register.
It said those found culpable should be prosecuted where sufficient evidence establishes criminal liability, irrespective of their positions within the Commission.
3. Independent forensic audit of the entire preliminary register
VBM demanded a comprehensive forensic examination covering:
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INEC’s voter-registration databases.
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System access logs and login records.
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Registration records and image submissions.
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Changes and modifications made to voter information.
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The identities and access privileges of personnel involved.
The organisation wants the findings published, with responsible officials identified where legally appropriate.
It further insisted that the audit should be completed before the scheduled certification of the final register on December 15, 2026.
4. ICPC and EFCC investigations
The movement called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate any evidence of corruption, conspiracy, abuse of office or institutional complicity.
It argued that investigations should not be restricted to junior registration officers if evidence points to possible involvement or negligence at higher levels.
5. Public disclosure and safeguards against future manipulation
VBM also demanded that INEC publish a detailed account of the irregularities discovered, the corrective measures taken and the safeguards being introduced to prevent unauthorised access or manipulation of voter information.
It said Nigerians should be given verifiable assurances that similar incidents would not undermine preparations for the 2027 elections.
INEC says preliminary register is still undergoing review
The controversy comes as INEC faces increasing public scrutiny following the appearance of photographs suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence in its preliminary voters’ register.
On October 27, the Commission issued a clarification acknowledging that questionable registration records had been identified during the physical display of the preliminary register between October 9 and 15.
INEC said it had commenced a review and corrective action, adding that the online register published on October 26 represented the original preliminary register and did not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.
The Commission stressed that the preliminary register was not the final certified version and that the verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes would continue ahead of the December 15 certification deadline.
The Commission’s explanation is important because the preliminary register is specifically intended to undergo public scrutiny and corrections before final certification.
However, the latest disclosure by its ICT director adds another dimension to the controversy: the possibility that authorised registration accounts were used to introduce questionable information into the database.
The credibility of the 2027 elections at stake
The Village Boys Movement warned that the 2027 elections must not become an exercise in legitimising a compromised voters’ register.
It called on the National Assembly, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and Nigerians generally to demand transparency and accountability from the electoral commission.
The organisation maintained that the voters’ register is a national democratic asset, not the private property of INEC officials, and that every eligible Nigerian has a legitimate interest in its accuracy.
It also rejected any attempt to dismiss the controversy as a routine technical problem that could be resolved through an administrative cleanup without a transparent explanation of what happened.
In its concluding statement, VBM declared:
“OUR VOTES ARE NOT FOR SALE. OUR DEMOCRACY IS NOT FOR MANIPULATION. NIGERIA BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE!”
Questions INEC must answer
The latest developments leave several important questions requiring clear answers from the Commission:
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How many questionable voter records have been identified nationwide?
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How many suspected AI-generated photographs were discovered?
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How many registration officers’ accounts were involved?
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Has INEC identified the individuals responsible for the irregular entries?
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Have any officials been suspended, investigated or referred to law-enforcement agencies?
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What independent safeguards will ensure that the final register is accurate and verifiable?
Although the discovery of questionable records does not establish that the entire voters’ register has been compromised, the circumstances surrounding their introduction demand transparent investigation.
INEC’s ability to identify and correct the irregularities before final certification will be important to public confidence in the 2027 electoral process.
The Commission must demonstrate not only that it can clean up the register, but also that it can establish how the irregularities occurred, identify those responsible where evidence permits, and prevent a recurrence.
