Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain recent appointments to two key departments, warning against any attempt to compromise the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also urged President Bola Tinubu to refrain from interfering with the electoral commission’s operations.
The former vice president made the demands in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, following the appointment of Mrs Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi to head the Electoral Operations and Voter Registry Department and Dr Lawrence Bayode to lead the Information and Communication Technology Department.
Adeyemi-Showunmi reportedly replaced Magaji Gum, while Bayode assumed responsibility for the commission’s ICT operations.
Atiku argued that the two departments were central to election management and the technological processes supporting the conduct of polls, making transparency in their leadership essential.
He called on INEC to disclose the criteria used in selecting the officials and demonstrate that the appointments followed due process and were based on merit.
The ADC chieftain also demanded clarification over reports concerning the production of election materials ahead of the 2027 polls.
He asked the commission to publish the names of companies contracted to produce the materials, the states assigned to each firm, the procurement procedures adopted and the security measures governing production, storage and distribution.
According to him, providing the information would help address public concerns and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
Atiku warned that any attempt to manipulate the forthcoming elections would be challenged through lawful and democratic means.
He maintained that INEC officials must understand that their decisions and actions would be closely scrutinised, adding that anyone found culpable of undermining the electoral process should be held accountable.
The former vice president stressed that Nigerians deserved a transparent and credible election in 2027, urging the electoral commission to address the concerns raised over its appointments and preparations for the polls.
