2027: Okonkwo accuses INEC of undermining election credibility over Showunmi’s wife’s redeployment

By Musa Baba Adamu

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesman for the 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 raises concerns about a potential conflict of interest because Adeyemi-Showunmi is married to Segun Showunmi, deputy spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, who is supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking on Arise News, monitored in Abuja, the ADC spokesman said the appointment could undermine public confidence in INEC’s neutrality, given the critical responsibilities of the department ahead of the 2027 elections.

“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 department plays a central 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 sensitive as political parties prepare for 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 added.

Okonkwo maintained that the issue was not necessarily about the official’s personal integrity but whether the circumstances surrounding her redeployment could create reasonable doubts about the commission’s impartiality.

He invoked the principle of conflict of interest, arguing that public officials must avoid situations capable of undermining confidence in their neutrality, irrespective of whether actual bias could be established.

However, Segun Showunmi has rejected suggestions that his wife’s redeployment was a political reward. He described her as a career civil servant who had worked with INEC throughout her professional life and disclosed that she was a Level 17 officer.

The controversy has renewed debate over INEC’s perceived neutrality as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election.

Okonkwo also questioned the integrity of the voter register, citing concerns over reports that deceased persons allegedly remained on the list.