By Jelili Gbadamosi
Atiku Abubakar, The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against interfering with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku also demanded greater transparency from the electoral body over the appointment of two officials to head key departments responsible for election operations and technology.
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 as head of INEC’s Electoral Operations and Voter Registry Department and Dr Lawrence Bayode as head of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.
Adeyemi-Showunmi was reportedly appointed to replace Magaji Gum, while Bayode oversees the commission’s ICT department.
Both departments play significant roles in the administration and technological management of elections.
Atiku urged INEC to publicly disclose the criteria used in making the appointments, insisting that Nigerians must be assured that the decisions were based on merit and due process rather than political considerations.
“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, was based on merit and was free from political interference,” he said.
He further warned that Nigerians would not accept what he described as a stolen election, stressing that the electoral process must be transparent and credible.
Atiku also called on INEC to clarify reports surrounding the production of election materials ahead of the 2027 polls.
He demanded that the commission disclose the names of companies handling the production of election materials, the states assigned to them, the procurement process and the security measures put in place for the production, storage and distribution of the materials.
“These reports demand urgent and unequivocal answers. INEC must confirm or deny them and publish the names of every company engaged, the materials and states assigned to each, the procurement method, the security clearances obtained and the safeguards governing production, storage and delivery,” Atiku said.
The ADC presidential candidate warned that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 elections would face resistance through lawful and democratic means.
He said INEC officials must recognise that their actions would be closely monitored and that those found culpable for compromising the electoral process would be held accountable.
“Let there be no mistake: Nigerians will not accept a stolen election. Any attempt to rig the 2027 polls will be met with determined resistance through the ballot, lawful civic action, and every other democratic channel available to the people,” he stated.
