Aisha Yesufu Warns INEC's AI Plan Threatens 2027 Election Credibility
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu warned Thursday that INEC's proposal to use artificial intelligence for collating 2027 election results poses a major threat to poll credibility, insisting the commission must prioritize the 'independence' in its acronym for free and fair elections. Speaking on her verified X handle October 15, she argued AI-generated content and manipulated information represent growing threats to the upcoming polls.
Her warning comes against INEC's specific proposal to deploy AI in result collation - a move Yesufu believes could compromise electoral integrity rather than enhance it. She contends that only when INEC takes its constitutional independence seriously will credible elections become achievable in Nigeria, directly challenging the commission's current technological approach.
As Nigerians prepare to vote next year amid widespread voter apathy - with CSOs already warning many believe their votes won't count - Yesufu's critique highlights the tension between electoral innovation and institutional trust. The activist's statement reflects growing concerns that shortcuts like AI could undermine rather than strengthen democratic processes.
Will INEC prioritize genuine institutional independence over technological solutions that might introduce new vulnerabilities to Nigeria's 2027 election credibility?