The forum also urged the judiciary and electoral institutions to remain independent and resolve political and electoral disputes promptly, warning that prolonged uncertainty over party leadership and candidates’ eligibility could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The demands were contained in a statement issued on Monday, November 9, and jointly signed by the forum’s Chairman and Afenifere leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Godknows Igali; and President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu.

The leaders expressed concern over the growing political tension ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.

They argued that public confidence in the electoral process could be weakened if questions surrounding the voters’ register, political party leadership and candidates’ eligibility were not addressed transparently and within the appropriate legal framework.

On the voters’ register controversy, the forum expressed concern over photographs suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence, alleged duplicate registrations and records reportedly linked to unidentified individuals.

It called for an independent examination involving electoral technology experts, civil society organisations and other qualified stakeholders to establish the authenticity and integrity of the register.

The forum maintained that an independent audit would help address public concerns and strengthen confidence in the electoral process before election day.

However, INEC has already acknowledged the existence of questionable records in the preliminary register and confirmed that investigations and data-cleaning activities are underway.

The commission explained that the register uploaded to its website on October 26 was the same preliminary document displayed physically across registration areas between October 9 and 15. It also clarified that the online publication did not reflect all the corrective activities already in progress.

INEC further disclosed that its Automated Biometric Identification System had flagged 268 records for further examination over suspected AI-generated photographs and other irregularities.

The commission has maintained that the preliminary register is not the final certified document and that verification and correction processes would be completed before the final register is certified on December 15, 2026.

The SMBLF nevertheless wants the process subjected to independent scrutiny to provide additional assurance to Nigerians.

The forum also called on INEC to demonstrate its readiness to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) effectively, protect election infrastructure, train electoral personnel and ensure transparent collation and timely publication of polling-unit results in accordance with the law.

It urged the commission to address lessons from previous elections, particularly controversies surrounding the use of technology in transmitting and collating results.

Concern over political attacks and intimidation

Beyond the voters’ register controversy, the forum condemned reported attacks involving political figures, including presidential hopeful Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC).

It insisted that political candidates and their supporters must be allowed to participate in democratic activities without intimidation or violence, regardless of their political affiliations.

The leaders called on security agencies to investigate the reported incidents impartially, identify those responsible and prosecute anyone found culpable.

The forum also criticised the destruction of campaign billboards, posters and other political materials, warning that such actions could increase political tension and trigger avoidable confrontations.

Reports of attacks involving Obi and Sowore have emerged in recent weeks. However, the circumstances and locations of individual incidents should be distinguished: an attack on Obi's convoy was reported in Calabar, Cross River State, on November 4, while Sowore reported an incident in Ekiti State.

The SMBLF said security agencies must ensure that political participation is protected and that those responsible for acts of intimidation are held accountable.

ADC leadership dispute raises concerns

The forum also raised concerns about the implications of unresolved political party leadership disputes and questions surrounding candidates' eligibility.

Its position comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment on November 5, 2026, nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark and invalidating decisions taken under the leadership structure.

The ruling also affected the party's presidential nomination process, which produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 election.

The ADC has rejected the judgment and filed an appeal, alongside an application seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

The development has created uncertainty around the party's leadership and preparations for the forthcoming elections.

The SMBLF urged the judiciary to discharge its responsibilities without political interference and ensure that disputes capable of affecting the electoral process are handled expeditiously.

According to the forum, allowing such matters to remain unresolved close to election day could limit voters' choices and weaken confidence in the democratic process.

Forum distances itself from political endorsements

Despite its concerns about the political environment, the SMBLF clarified that it had not adopted any political party or presidential candidate as its collective choice for the 2027 general elections.

The leaders said the forum's position was centred on protecting democracy, promoting peaceful political participation and ensuring that eligible Nigerians could freely exercise their voting rights.

They stressed that the objective was to secure an electoral process free from intimidation, coercion and inducement, where voters could make their choices without fear.

The forum called on political parties, security agencies, electoral authorities and the judiciary to work towards peaceful, transparent and credible elections.

With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the leaders said restoring public confidence in electoral institutions should remain a priority.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia