Enugu, Nigeria – The Society of Professional Igbo Journalists (SPIJ) has raised serious concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) first-week Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) figures, claiming the numbers disproportionately favor the South-West and threaten to disenfranchise Igbo voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was issued in a statement signed by SPIJ President ThankGod Ofoelue, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Jungle-Journalist.Com and Secretary-General Chidipeters Okorie, Publisher and CEO of Time Africa Magazine, following a detailed review of INEC’s August 18–24, 2025, CVR pre-registration data.
Lopsided Numbers Raise Alarm
According to INEC, the national total of first-week online pre-registrations was 1,379,342. Of this, the South-West accounted for 848,359 registrations, or roughly 61–67% of the total, with Osun State alone recording 393,269.
By contrast, the South-East recorded only 64,696 registrations, with the breakdown as follows:
- Abia: 772
- Anambra: 62,698
- Ebonyi: 261
- Enugu: 484
- Imo: 481
SPIJ described these figures as “implausible and alarming,” noting that political parties, civic groups, and community organizations in South-East Nigeria reported widespread participation during the same period.
“The numbers released by INEC for the South-East do not reflect the actual turnout on the ground. These figures are statistically inconsistent with the population and prior registration trends,” the SPIJ statement said.
Calls for Transparency and Forensic Audit
SPIJ is demanding that INEC provide full state-by-state machine-readable data, including online and physical registrations, portal access logs, and server timestamps. The group also called for independent digital forensic verification to ensure the integrity of the registration process.
“The combination of unusually high registrations in the South-West, extremely low figures in multiple Igbo-majority states, and the lack of transparency poses a risk of systematic disenfranchisement of the South-East,” SPIJ warned.
The group has begun field verification, gathering registration centre logbooks and eyewitness accounts across Enugu, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, and Anambra. It also plans to involve reputable local and international election-monitoring organizations in an independent audit.
Historical Context
INEC has defended the topline figures, stating that high online registration in the South-West reflects historical trends. SPIJ, however, notes that Osun’s first-week registrations exceed the total number of new voters added over longer periods in previous CVR cycles — a discrepancy that requires independent verification.
SPIJ emphasized that while the numbers may have a benign explanation, the lack of immediate transparency makes it impossible to rule out potential manipulation, which could materially reduce Igbo voting power in 2027.
SPIJ’s Demands
- Immediate release of full state-by-state data showing online and physical registrations.
- Access for independent digital forensic experts to inspect portal logs and server infrastructure.
- Publication of reconciled tables comparing portal, physical, and PVC distribution numbers.
- Empowerment of civil society and electoral observers to verify registration across the South-East.
- Retraction and correction of any unexplained or statistically impossible figures.
SPIJ has committed to publishing field verification results within seven days and will hold a press conference in Enugu to present findings. The organization also stated it is ready to escalate to legal and international election-integrity bodies if INEC does not comply with transparency demands.
“Nigeria’s democratic future depends on a voter roll that is accurate, inclusive, and beyond reproach. The South-East cannot be disenfranchised. SPIJ will ensure that Igbo voices are protected,” the statement concluded.
Signed:
ThankGod Ofoelue – President,, SPIJ; Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Jungle-Journalist.Com
Chidipeters Okorie – Secretary-General, SPIJ; Publisher and CEO, Time Africa Magazine
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