2027: Atiku Faults INEC Over Ballot-Printing Contracts, Demands Disclosure

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose the companies engaged to produce sensitive materials for the 2027 general elections, warning that a lack of transparency could weaken public confidence in the electoral process.

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Sunday, October 11, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

The former vice-president asked INEC to confirm or deny reports that Hitech, or a company associated with it, had secured a contract to print sensitive election materials, including ballot papers.

Atiku also questioned reports suggesting that more than half of the commission’s sensitive materials might have been allocated to an unidentified company reportedly based in France. He further raised concerns that the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPMC) might be handling materials for only 15 to 17 states, with private contractors responsible for the remainder.

The claims have not been independently established, and INEC had not publicly confirmed the reported contract arrangements in the coverage reviewed.

Atiku Demands Details of Printing Contracts

Atiku urged INEC to publish the names of all companies engaged to produce election materials, the items and states assigned to each contractor, the procurement methods used and the security safeguards governing production, storage and delivery.

He argued that Nigerians should be able to verify how ballot papers, result sheets and other sensitive documents are produced and tracked throughout the electoral process.

“Nigerians should not have to depend on unnamed sources to discover who is producing their ballots,” he said.

The ADC presidential campaign council also called for greater use of qualified domestic security-printing facilities, including NSPMC, where they can meet the commission’s technical and security requirements.

Hitech Contract Allegation Raises Questions

Atiku specifically questioned whether Hitech or a related company had been awarded a contract to print sensitive election materials.

He cited publicly reported business links between the Chagoury family, which owns Hitech, and the family of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that any contract involving the company would require clear disclosure and safeguards against perceived political interference.

“The integrity of INEC in the forthcoming election will be seriously compromised if Hitech or a company associated with it is awarded a contract to produce sensitive election materials,” Atiku said.

His remarks were framed as a demand for clarification, rather than confirmation that Hitech had received such a contract.

Atiku also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to disclose its current arrangements for printing higher-denomination banknotes and clarify the roles of NSPMC and any foreign contractors.

Atiku Questions INEC Personnel Changes

Beyond ballot printing, Atiku asked INEC to explain reported changes involving officials in departments responsible for election operations, voter registration and information technology.

The statement cited reports that Isa Magaji Gum had been moved from the Electoral Operations Department to the Voter Registry Department, while Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi had been appointed to lead Electoral Operations. Dr Lawrence Bayode was identified as head of the Information and Communication Technology Department.

Atiku urged the commission to publish the criteria used for the appointments and redeployments and demonstrate that the decisions followed due process and were based on merit.

He said the departments played critical roles in election administration and that transparency over their leadership was necessary to maintain confidence in INEC’s independence.

However, he cautioned against assuming that any official was compromised because of ethnicity, personal background or associations, stressing that concerns should be addressed through verifiable information.

Atiku’s demands come as INEC prepares for the 2027 general elections. The commission’s response to questions about procurement, security arrangements and personnel changes will be central to addressing the concerns raised by the ADC presidential campaign council.