Forensic experts just called out INEC's tech for 2027 — and they are not wrong

The Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) yesterday in Abuja called for a mandatory public stress test of INEC's technology at least six months before the 2027 elections. Their founder Iliyasu Gashinbaki said the results of the test should be broadcast live for everyone to see. This is the kind of demand that should make every Nigerian sit up and pay attention.

Gashinbaki also asked for forensic vetting of candidates' academic certificates, birth records, and tax clearance long before ballot papers are printed. He said forensic analysts should be embedded inside INEC's collation system to detect manipulations in real time. And listen to this quote from him: "Forensic deep fake detection experts must be engaged to counter AI-generated disinformation designed to mislead voters as well as the courts. Forensic evidence is the only language a captured judiciary cannot easily ignore." That man is not playing games.

He warned that the accusations of massive rigging in party primaries and attempts to build a one-party state are not conspiracy theories. He said these are known pathologies of democratic collapse that could lead to a failed state if they continue into 2027. So here is my question: if these forensic experts are willing to certify the process for free, why would INEC or the government resist this? Are they afraid of what a stress test will reveal?