Chidi Odinkalu Raises Question About INEC After Spotting A Large Crowd Welcoming Peter Obi To Owerri

According to a post shared on social media, human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has questioned whether supporters who welcomed Peter Obi to Owerri, Imo State, during a campaign rally have a plan to address concerns surrounding the credibility of Nigeria’s voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general election.

Odinkalu raised the issue while reacting to a video showing the reception Obi received from supporters and market women during his visit to the state on Saturday.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), attracted a large gathering during the street mobilisation exercise. Some market women were seen presenting him with food items and fruits as they expressed their support for his political ambition.

Others also handed their babies to the presidential hopeful, in what appeared to be a gesture of affection and excitement during the encounter.

The footage was shared by Peter Akah, an NDC House of Representatives candidate and supporter of Obi, who expressed excitement over the reception through a social media post.

Reacting to the moment, Akah wrote: “Owerri Women want to finish their President with food stuff oh.”

He also celebrated Obi’s arrival in the state capital, describing it as the landing of the Eagle in Owerri. Akah further expressed confidence in the former governor’s political ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

However, Odinkalu focused on a different aspect of the political gathering, drawing attention to questions about voter registration and the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in maintaining an accurate and credible voters’ register.

In his reaction, the lawyer questioned whether those celebrating the large turnout had considered how to address what he described as problems affecting the electoral register.

“I hope the people in this gyration also have a plan for an @inecnigeria register that is criminalised?” he wrote.

Odinkalu’s comment introduced electoral credibility into the online discussion surrounding Obi’s reception in Owerri. His intervention shifted attention from the size of the crowd and the enthusiastic welcome to broader concerns about voter registration and preparations for the 2027 general election.

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