Nigeria Has Over 16 Million More Voters Than The Rest Of West Africa – INEC Chairman

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Tuesday, January 17th, 2023

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stated that available data indicated that Nigeria has over 16 million more voters than the rest of West Africa.

The INEC boss made this known on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, as he spoke about the commission’s preparations for the 2023 general elections at Chatham House in London.

He said: “Based on figures compiled from electoral commissions and interior ministries in West Africa, Nigeria’s current voter population is 16.7 million higher than the 76.7 million registered in all the other countries put together — and there are 14 other elections in the sub-region.

“This means that a general election in Nigeria is like conducting an election in the whole of West Africa and beyond.”

He also refuted claims the insinuations that INEC may postpone the election saying the commission is “not contemplating let alone planning to postpone the 2023 general elections”.

“We are going ahead to conduct the election as scheduled,” he added.

According to him, Nigeria can surmount its electoral challenges and make sure elections continue to get better.

He said: “We know that political actors often try to undermine the process by attacking the technology, casting doubts on its suitability, bypassing its use or indeed seeking to undermine its security.

“This informed the early choice of a new voter accreditation technology, using an electronic device called Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.”