Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the credibility of the 2027 general election following the redeployment of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi to head the Electoral Operations Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Drivetvnews gathered that Okonkwo alleged that the redeployment raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest because Adeyemi-Showunmi is married to Segun Showunmi, the deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council.
Segun Showunmi is supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Arise News, Okonkwo argued that the appointment could undermine public confidence in the electoral process because of the sensitive responsibilities attached to the department.
“Allowing the wife of Showunmi to be the electoral operations department officer is rigging the election before the time,” he said.
Okonkwo explained that the Electoral Operations Department plays a crucial role in election administration, including the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, and coordination of polling and collation activities.
He added that the department also supervises returning officers during elections, making its leadership particularly important 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 should avoid circumstances that could reasonably raise doubts about their impartiality, even where actual bias has not been established.
He stressed that his concerns were not necessarily about Adeyemi-Showunmi’s personal integrity but about whether the circumstances surrounding her redeployment could affect public confidence in INEC’s neutrality.
However, Segun Showunmi has rejected suggestions that his wife’s redeployment was a political reward. He described her as a career civil servant who has worked with INEC throughout her professional life and disclosed that she is a Level 17 officer.
The controversy has generated concerns about the electoral commission’s perceived neutrality as political parties prepare for the 2027 general election.
Okonkwo also questioned the credibility of the voters’ register, raising concerns about reports that deceased persons allegedly remain listed as registered voters.
