2027: Outrage As Voters At Okpebholo’s Polling Unit Allegedly Jump From 397 To 4,783; INEC Asked To Explain
The reported increase has raised questions about the credibility of INEC’s preliminary voters’ register, coming months after Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo promised to deliver 2.5 million votes for
President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Fresh controversy has emerged over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) preliminary Register of Voters following reports of an extraordinary increase in the number of registered voters at a polling unit reportedly linked to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The polling unit, identified as PU 12-03-02-001 at Udomi Primary School, Udomi-I, in Uwessan I Ward, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, reportedly recorded an increase from 397 registered voters in 2024 to 4,783 in the preliminary register released in October 2026.
If confirmed, the figures represent an addition of 4,386 voters, amounting to an increase of approximately 1,105 per cent within two years.
The discrepancy was brought to public attention by an X user, @mundus01, who reportedly compared figures from INEC’s 2024 Edo State governorship election records with the Commission’s latest preliminary voters’ register.
In a post that has generated widespread reactions, the user questioned how a polling unit that reportedly had 397 registered voters in 2024 could suddenly have 4,783 entries in 2026.
The development has triggered questions about the accuracy of the new voters’ register and the need for INEC to explain the circumstances behind the reported increase.
OKPEBHOLO’S 2.5 MILLION VOTES PROMISE
The controversy has attracted additional political attention because of Governor Okpebholo’s public promise to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The governor had openly declared his intention to secure the massive votes for the President, a promise that has generated considerable political debate.
The reported voter-register discrepancy has now added another dimension to the discussion, particularly because the polling unit in question is said to be associated with the governor.
However, the reported increase does not, on its own, establish electoral manipulation or implicate the governor or any INEC official in wrongdoing.
INEC’S VOTERS’ REGISTER UNDER SCRUTINY
The development comes amid growing concerns about the credibility of INEC’s preliminary Register of Voters.
The Commission has recently acknowledged concerns over questionable registration records, including suspected AI-generated photographs appearing in some voter profiles.
In its response, INEC said it had commenced reviewing flagged records and assured Nigerians that identified irregularities would be addressed before the final register is certified.
The Commission has also explained that the preliminary register remains subject to scrutiny and corrections before its final certification.
QUESTIONS INEC MUST ANSWER
The reported increase at the Udomi polling unit raises several important questions that deserve clear and transparent answers from INEC.
The Commission needs to clarify:
How many registered voters were officially recorded at the polling unit in 2024?
How did the number reportedly increase to 4,783 in the 2026 preliminary register?
Have all the additional entries undergone proper biometric verification?
Does the polling unit’s reported voter population require a review or administrative adjustment?
These questions are particularly important as Nigerians prepare for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The claims and objections period provides an opportunity for citizens, political parties and other stakeholders to scrutinise the preliminary register and report questionable entries.
INEC is expected to certify and publish the final Register of Voters on December 15, 2026.
Until the figures are independently verified and INEC provides an explanation, the reported discrepancy should be treated as a matter requiring investigation rather than conclusive evidence of electoral manipulation.
Nigerians deserve a credible, transparent and verifiable voters’ register. INEC must therefore provide clear answers to legitimate questions surrounding the figures.
Headlineswave will continue to monitor developments and INEC’s response.
Source: INEC records, public statements and reports attributed to @mundus01.
