Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the appointment of two Yoruba officials to key departments of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding transparency over the decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made his position known in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu.
He called on INEC to explain the appointments of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi as head of Electoral Operations and Voter Registry and Lawrence Bayode as head of the Information and Communication Technology department.
Adeyemi-Showunmi reportedly replaced Magaji Gum, while Bayode oversees the commission’s ICT department. Both units play important roles in election administration.
Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu to avoid political interference in INEC, insisting that the 2027 presidential election must be free and fair. He also demanded publication of the criteria used to select Adeyemi-Showunmi, saying the commission should demonstrate that its appointments and redeployments were based on merit and due process.
“These departments are at the heart of election administration. INEC must explain these decisions, publish the criteria applied and show that every appointment and redeployment followed due process, was based on merit and was free from political interference,” he said.
The former vice-president also sought clarification on reports concerning the production of election materials, asking INEC to disclose the companies involved, the procurement process and the materials assigned to each contractor.
He further called for details of security clearances and safeguards covering the production, storage and delivery of electoral materials.
Atiku warned that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 elections would face resistance through lawful and democratic means.
“Nigerians will not accept a stolen election. Any attempt to rig the 2027 polls will be met with determined resistance through the ballot, lawful civic action, and every other democratic channel available to the people,” he said.
He said INEC officials would be held accountable for their conduct as the country prepares for the polls scheduled for January 16, 2027.
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