# Sam Amadi Defends Presidential Autonomy Amid INEC Voter Register Controversy

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/sam-amadi-defends-presidential-autonomy-amid-inec-voter-register-controversy/
- Published: 2026-11-02T07:21:08+00:00
- Author: Olamide

As concerns mount regarding the integrity of the Independent National Electoral 
Commission (INEC) voter register, Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of
Social and Political Thought, has cautioned against shifting blame toward the executive
branch. In an interview with Arise News, Amadi emphasized that President Bola Tinubu
should be viewed strictly as a political competitor rather than an overseer of electoral
mechanics.

## The Separation of Executive and Electoral Duties

Amadi argued that the responsibility for maintaining a credible voter register lies
solely with INEC. He stated that the President has no direct mandate to intervene
in the commission’s internal processes. According to Amadi, holding the President
accountable for electoral irregularities conflates the role of the regulator with
that of the participants. **“The president is a competitor, so don’t ask the president
to come and do anything,”** Amadi noted, adding that if the regulator fails, it 
is the regulator’s duty to rectify the situation.

## Concerns Over Register Integrity

The controversy centers on reports of suspicious fluctuations in voter numbers. 
Amadi highlighted specific concerns, including claims that some polling units saw
registration figures jump from 400 to 1,500. Furthermore, he pointed to public skepticism
surrounding the reported total of 103 million registered voters. These discrepancies,
he warned, threaten to undermine the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), 
which relies on the accuracy of the register to function effectively.

## A Call for Independent Auditing

To address the growing distrust, Amadi proposed that INEC take the following steps:

 * **Public Accountability:** The INEC chairman should publicly address the irregularities
   and accept responsibility.
 * **Independent Audit:** The commission should commission a transparent, non-partisan
   audit of its systems.
 * **Professional Involvement:** Amadi suggested that bodies such as the Nigerian
   Society of Engineers and the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria could
   provide the necessary technical oversight to ensure credibility.

## Preserving Voter Engagement

Amadi expressed concern that the current controversy could reverse recent gains 
in civic participation. He noted that there has been a positive trend of increased
interest in the electoral process, particularly among Nigeria’s youth. He warned
that if INEC fails to act decisively, the resulting distrust could lead to renewed
voter apathy, ultimately weakening the democratic process ahead of future elections.

## Conclusion

While the debate over the voter register continues, the consensus from analysts 
like Amadi remains that the burden of proof and correction rests with the electoral
commission. By prioritizing transparency and inviting external professional scrutiny,
INEC faces a critical juncture in its efforts to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s
electoral infrastructure.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>**Source:** [Daily Post Nigeria](https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/02/inecs-ai-voter-register-its-not-tinubus-fault-he-shouldnt-be-called-sam-amadi/)

  TL;DR (AI Generated)

Dr.

Sam Amadi has cautioned against blaming President Bola Tinubu for controversies 
surrounding the INEC voter register, emphasizing that the President acts strictly
as a political competitor rather than an electoral overseer.

Pointing to suspicious fluctuations in voter numbers that threaten the credibility
of the system, Amadi urged INEC to take full responsibility and conduct a transparent,
independent audit.

He warned that without decisive action to restore public trust, the current discrepancies
could reverse recent gains in civic participation and lead to renewed voter apathy.

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