Atiku Abubakar warned that outdated BVAS machines and poor cybersecurity could endanger the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, raised an urgent alarm on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, over serious technology and security risks threatening the upcoming 2027 general elections in Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja, the opposition leader warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission, commonly known as INEC, is relying on outdated voting machines and weak online protections that could make the election vulnerable to hacking, computer failure, and result manipulation.
His warning highlights growing fears among millions of Nigerian voters that technical glitches could once again compromise the fairness of the voting process if immediate steps are not taken to fix the country’s electoral systems.
The core of Atiku’s warning focuses on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, popularly called the BVAS machine. These small digital devices were created to read voters’ fingerprints and facial features at polling units to confirm their identity before they cast their ballots.
However, Atiku explained that the electronic hardware and software inside these devices are becoming old and obsolete. Because digital technology changes so fast, devices built years ago can easily break down, freeze during voting hours, or fall victim to clever cybercriminals who know how to bypass weak security codes.
Explaining why these technical flaws pose a direct danger to democracy, Atiku Abubakar stated, “We cannot afford to go into another major election cycle with machines and software that are legally and technically outdated, leaving our democratic process open to manipulation and cyber threats.” He emphasized that if the machines fail to work properly on election day, millions of citizens could be turned away from voting centers without being able to cast their vote, which would destroy public trust in the final election results.
Another major concern raised by the former vice president is the issue of cybersecurity. In simple terms, cybersecurity is the digital lock that protects computer systems, databases, and online result portals from hackers who want to change numbers or steal private information.
Atiku pointed out that without upgrading to modern security standards, bad actors could exploit backdoors in the system to alter voting data remotely. He stressed that a modern democracy cannot function when election software is vulnerable to external control or technical interference.
See Also: US Lawmakers Summon OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs Over Rogue AI Hacks
Atiku Abubakar urged the electoral commission to take swift action by conducting a complete review and audit of all its electronic equipment well before the 2027 elections begin. Calling for total transparency and immediate upgrades, Atiku stated, “INEC must urgently conduct a thorough technical audit of all BVAS devices, upgrade its cybersecurity frameworks, and reassure Nigerians that their votes will count without electronic disruption.” He added that taking these preventive steps now is the only way to make sure every single vote is properly recorded and safely transmitted.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, Atiku’s warning serves as an important call to action for election officials, political parties, and civil society groups across Nigeria. For ordinary citizens, the message is simple: technology should make voting smoother and more honest, not harder or questionable.
By fixing old devices, updating software, and building stronger digital walls against cyber threats today, Nigeria can protect its democratic choices and ensure that the voice of every voter is truly respected when election day arrives.
About the Author
Jennifer Sakmufuwo Baba is a tech analyst, senior staff, and writer covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity , and emerging technologies at TechRegard. Based in Nigeria, she's passionate about translating complex tech developments into compelling, accessible stories for diverse audiences. Her work focuses on how technology shapes innovation across Africa and globally.
