By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended preparations for its proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise following mounting concerns from political parties, civil society groups, and regional stakeholders.
In a directive issued to all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on April 4, 2026, the Commission ordered an immediate halt to all publicity and preparatory activities related to the exercise. The letter, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, instructed RECs to await further directives. The Commission also announced that its scheduled April 9 meeting with RECs will now be held virtually via Zoom.
INEC had earlier proposed the revalidation exercise as a measure to clean up the voter register by removing ineligible entries, including deceased persons, duplicate registrations, and relocated voters, with the aim of enhancing the credibility of future elections.
However, the proposal was met with swift opposition.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) labeled the exercise a “recipe for chaos,” warning that it could disenfranchise millions of Nigerians less than 10 months before the general elections. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that requiring already registered voters to revalidate their details so close to the polls could suppress turnout and deepen voter apathy.
Similarly, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki described the timing as “suspicious,” suggesting it could be used to illegally prune the voter rolls.
In the north, a group identifying as Concerned Forme
