Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesman 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).
Okonkwo argued that the redeployment could raise concerns about a potential conflict of interest because Adeyemi-Showunmi is married to Segun Showunmi, a deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council who supports President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Speaking on Arise News, the ADC spokesman warned that the appointment could undermine public confidence in INEC’s neutrality ahead of the next general election.
“Allowing the wife of Showunmi to be the electoral operations department officer is rigging the election before the time,” Okonkwo said.
He explained that the Electoral Operations Department plays a critical 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.
According to him, the department also supervises returning officers during elections, making its leadership particularly important to the credibility of the electoral process.
Okonkwo maintained that public officials must avoid situations that could create reasonable doubts about their impartiality, regardless of whether actual bias can be established.
“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.
He stressed that his concerns were not necessarily an accusation against Adeyemi-Showunmi’s personal integrity but a question of whether her marital relationship with an APC campaign official could affect public perception of 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 with INEC throughout her professional life. He also stated that she is a Level 17 officer.
The controversy comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with questions about the independence and credibility of the electoral umpire remaining a key issue in political discussions.
Okonkwo also raised concerns about the integrity of the national voter register, citing reports alleging that deceased persons remain on the list.
As of the information contained in the report, INEC had not provided a response to Okonkwo’s allegations.
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