Atiku Challenges INEC Over Election Materials Printing Contracts

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to reveal the identity of entities printing sensitive election materials for the 2027 polls. He warned that unclear contracts and departmental shifts could erode trust in the electoral process.

Atiku demanded INEC provide transparency by detailing the criteria used for appointments and redeployments, ensuring all actions were merit-based and free from political influence.

He specifically asked whether Hitech or its affiliated companies had been contracted to produce sensitive election materials, as this could impact electoral integrity.

Atiku claimed that over half of the materials, including presidential ballot assets, might be printed by an unregistered company linked to France.

He also questioned the assertion that Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc handled materials for only 15 to 17 states, leaving private firms responsible for the rest.

Atiku highlighted potential conflicts of interest, noting that Hitech’s owner, the Chagoury family, has publicly reported business connections with the Tinubu family.