Atiku Questions Appointment of Two Yorubas to Key INEC Positions Ahead of 2027 Elections

Atiku Questions Appointment of Two Yorubas to Key INEC Positions Ahead of 2027 Elections

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the appointment of two Yoruba officials to key departments of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), raised the concerns in a statement issued Sunday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, demanding explanations.

He questioned the appointments of Mrs Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi and Dr Lawrence Bayode to head INEC’s Electoral Operations and Voter Registry Department and Information and Communication Technology Department, respectively.

According to the report, Adeyemi-Showunmi recently replaced Magaji Gum, while Bayode heads the commission’s ICT department. Both units are crucial to election administration and preparation.

Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu to avoid interfering in INEC’s operations, insisting that the electoral commission must remain independent and prepare for credible elections in 2027.

He also demanded that the administration publish the criteria used in appointing Adeyemi-Showunmi, arguing that Nigerians deserve transparency in decisions involving sensitive electoral responsibilities.

The former vice president insisted that INEC must demonstrate that the appointments followed due process, reflected merit and remained free from political interference.

“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,” Atiku said.

He maintained that Nigerians would not accept vague assurances about decisions capable of affecting public confidence in the electoral process as preparations for 2027 continue.

Atiku also expressed concern about reports concerning companies involved in producing election materials for the 2027 general elections, urging INEC to provide clear explanations.

He called on the commission to confirm or deny the reports and publish the names of contractors, alongside the materials and states assigned to each company.

He further demanded details of procurement procedures, security clearances and safeguards governing the production, storage and delivery of election materials ahead of the forthcoming elections.

According to Atiku, Nigerians should not depend on unnamed sources to obtain information about the production of sensitive electoral materials before the 2027 polls.

He insisted that INEC must provide timely answers to address public concerns and demonstrate transparency in its preparations for the next general elections.

The ADC presidential candidate warned against attempts to manipulate the 2027 elections, declaring that Nigerians would defend their votes through lawful and democratic means.

He said any attempt to rig the polls would face determined resistance through voting, lawful civic action and other democratic channels available to citizens.

Atiku also reminded INEC officials that Nigerians were monitoring their conduct and expected them to uphold fairness, accountability and independence throughout the electoral process.

His remarks add to the debate surrounding INEC appointments, the commission’s independence and the transparency of preparations for Nigeria’s next general elections.

As political activities continue ahead of 2027, electoral credibility and public confidence in INEC are expected to remain important issues for political parties and voters.