Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesman for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that the redeployment of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi to head the Electoral Operations Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, raises concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general election.
Okonkwo argued that the appointment creates a potential conflict of interest because Adeyemi-Showunmi is the wife of Segun Showunmi, deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign council.
Segun Showunmi is supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking on the controversy on Arise News, Okonkwo maintained that the appointment could undermine public confidence in the electoral process given the responsibilities attached to the department.
He said, “Allowing the wife of Showunmi to be the electoral operations department officer is rigging the election before the time.”
Okonkwo explained that the department plays a crucial role in election administration, including the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc personnel, and coordination of polling and collation activities.
He added that the department also supervises returning officers during elections, arguing that its responsibilities make the position particularly sensitive ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We are not talking about whether there will be bias. We are saying that anything that has the likelihood of bias is not allowed,” he said.
The ADC spokesman cited the principle of conflict of interest, arguing that public officials must avoid situations that could create reasonable doubts about their impartiality, regardless of whether actual bias can be established.
He maintained that the issue was not necessarily a question of the officer’s personal integrity but whether the circumstances surrounding her redeployment could affect confidence in INEC’s neutrality.
However, Segun Showunmi has denied that his wife’s redeployment was a political reward, describing her as a career civil servant who has worked at INEC throughout her professional life. He also said she was a Level 17 officer.
The development has sparked concerns about INEC’s perceived neutrality as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general election.
Okonkwo also questioned the integrity of the voter register, raising concerns about reports of deceased persons allegedly remaining on the register.