Nigerians Protest Against INEC Chairman at Chatham House Over Voters’ Register Concerns

Nigerians living in the United Kingdom staged a protest outside Chatham House in London on Thursday, November 12, 2026, confronting the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The demonstrators gathered as Amupitan was leaving the venue after participating in a discussion on Nigeria’s electoral future. They surrounded the vehicle believed to be conveying him, preventing it from moving while demanding that he step out and respond to their concerns.

Carrying placards and documents, the protesters questioned the commission’s handling of the preliminary voters’ register and called for greater transparency. They also challenged Amupitan to demonstrate the independence of the electoral body, expressing dissatisfaction with the commission’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.

The demonstration follows growing public concerns over questionable entries discovered in the preliminary voters’ register. These reportedly include suspected AI-generated photographs, duplicate registrations and records bearing the names of deceased individuals.

The controversy has raised concerns about the accuracy of the electoral database and the potential implications for the credibility of the 2027 elections. Questions have also emerged about the measures INEC is taking to identify and remove questionable entries before the final register is established.

Amupitan had earlier acknowledged the concerns surrounding suspected AI-generated images and other discrepancies in the register. He stated that the commission was reviewing the records and would take appropriate corrective measures based on its findings.

The protest coincided with his appearance at Chatham House, where he participated in a discussion titled “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot.” The engagement was organised in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI).

During the discussion, the INEC chairman urged Nigerians to have confidence in his leadership and assured them that the commission was committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

However, the demonstration outside the venue reflected the growing dissatisfaction among some Nigerians in the diaspora over the management of the voters’ register. The protesters maintained that INEC must address the disputed records and provide sufficient explanations to restore public confidence before the next general elections.

With preparations for the 2027 polls underway, the controversy places renewed attention on the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral institutions, the accuracy of the voters’ register and the commission’s responsibility to ensure a transparent electoral process.