The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi, has said President Bola Tinubu should not be blamed for the controversy surrounding the voters’ register recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Amadi said the electoral body, not the President, was responsible for addressing alleged irregularities in the register, describing Tinubu as a political competitor who should be treated like other candidates.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, he urged INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan to order an independent audit of the register and explain how the commission intends to address the concerns raised.
“It’s not the President’s fault. The President is judged like every competitor. If the regulator has screwed up, the regulator should clear the mess,” he said.
Amadi expressed concern over allegations of suspicious increases in voter numbers in some polling units, with reports suggesting that figures had risen from about 400 to 1,500.
He also questioned the credibility of INEC’s reported 103 million registered voters, warning that the controversy could erode public confidence and discourage Nigerians, particularly young people, from participating in elections.
He called on INEC to apologize to Nigerians, publish a clear timeline for verifying the register, and allow an independent professional audit of its systems.
Amadi also urged political parties to push for a transparent review, suggesting that professional bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria could contribute to the exercise.
