The Independent National Electoral Commission has yet to publicly respond to growing controversy surrounding the reported redeployment of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi, wife of politician Segun Showunmi, to head its Electoral Operations Department ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development has triggered concerns among political figures, civil society organisations and social media users, who have called on the electoral commission to explain the reasons behind the reported personnel changes.
Adeyemi-Showunmi was reportedly moved from her previous position as Administrative Secretary at INEC’s Lagos State office to head Electoral Operations at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Isah Magaji Gummi, who previously headed the department, was reportedly redeployed to the Voter Registry Department.
The Electoral Operations Department plays a significant role in preparing for elections, including coordinating election logistics, distributing electoral materials, deploying ad hoc personnel and organising polling activities.
The department’s responsibilities have attracted particular attention because Nigeria is preparing for the 2027 general elections.
Concerns have also arisen because Adeyemi-Showunmi’s husband, Segun Showunmi, is associated with the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council for the 2027 election and has publicly supported President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ambition.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on INEC to provide a transparent explanation of the reported redeployments. Through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the commission should explain the criteria used in making the decisions and demonstrate that the process followed established procedures.
Human rights lawyer and former National Human Rights Commission chairman, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, also questioned the reported redeployment in a post on social media, drawing further attention to the issue.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has similarly urged INEC to clarify the circumstances surrounding the personnel changes, stressing the importance of public confidence in the commission’s independence and impartiality.
However, Segun Showunmi has rejected suggestions that his wife’s reported redeployment was a reward for his political activities. Speaking on Channels Television, he described her as a career civil servant who had worked with INEC throughout her professional life and was a Level 17 officer.
The controversy has renewed calls for transparency in the management of Nigeria’s electoral institutions. Critics argue that clear explanations are necessary to address public concerns, while questions about the reported redeployment remain distinct from any proven allegation of wrongdoing.
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