2027 Election: Nigerians Raise Fresh Concerns As Umeh Questions INEC Over 2023 Glitch

Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has expressed concerns over the proposed use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the 2027 general elections, warning that Nigerians are already apprehensive about the credibility of the forthcoming polls.

Umeh said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for the glitch that occurred during the collation of the 2023 presidential election results, a situation he said continues to fuel anxiety ahead of the next election.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the lawmaker raised the concerns while speaking on Friday during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television.

Umeh said the outcome and controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election remained a source of concern for many Nigerians, stressing that the unresolved issues had heightened fears about the 2027 elections.

“The 2023 election outcome is still giving me anxiety. It is giving everybody anxiety, not just me,” Umeh said.

The senator also expressed reservations over comments by INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, regarding the possible deployment of Artificial Intelligence in the electoral process.

Umeh warned that advances in AI technology could make it easier for individuals to create highly convincing fabricated images, videos and other forms of content capable of misleading the public.

He cited the ability of sophisticated AI tools to manipulate people’s appearances and identities in a seamless manner as one of the risks associated with the technology.

“When you use Artificial Intelligence to take the head of a man and plant it on the body of a woman and it will be seamless. That is the risk in Artificial Intelligence,” he said.

The lawmaker therefore urged Nigerians and INEC to exercise extreme caution in relying on AI as part of the electoral process, arguing that the technology could create additional challenges if not properly regulated.

“Don’t put any confidence in the deployment of Artificial Intelligence in this process,” Umeh warned.

He maintained, however, that his primary concern remained the unexplained glitch experienced during the collation of the 2023 presidential election results.

According to Umeh, INEC’s failure to clearly establish and communicate what caused the incident has raised questions about the commission’s preparedness for another major election.

“In 2023, what messed up the election was the announced glitch in the collation of the presidential election. Till today, INEC has not told us what was responsible for the glitch and Nigeria has gone past it and we are moving to another one,” he said.

Umeh added that Nigerians could not predict what challenges might emerge during the 2027 elections and expressed hope that the country would not experience a repeat of the problems associated with the 2023 polls.

“We don’t know what will come up in 2027 and we pray nothing like that happens again,” he said.