2027: ADC raises concerns over alleged ethnic bias in INEC deployment and redeployment

The African Democratic Congress has raised concerns over alleged ethnic bias in INEC’s recent deployment and deployment of personnel, and demanded an explanation from the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC alleged that some officers from northern states serving in sensitive departments, including Election Operations and Information and Communications Technology, have been transferred to other departments and replaced by officials from Lagos and other South West states.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it had received intelligence information and direct complaints regarding the changes, and warned that the pattern could raise questions about INEC’s neutrality if not properly explained.

However, the party did not provide the names of the affected officers or documentary evidence to support its allegations in the statement.

“We have the names of certain officers who were transferred from Election Operations and ICT in a number of northern states and replaced with officers from Lagos and other South West states. INEC may consider this to be routine. But we have seen a pattern, especially based on ethnicity, and we are concerned,” the statement said.

ADC said it had not accused the commission of nefarious motives, but stressed that allegations that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process should not be considered routine administrative decisions.

“Regardless of the commission’s motives, the question of regional concentration in sensitive departments cannot be dismissed as a routine administrative matter,” the party said.

He added that any personnel arrangements that indicated ethnic or group preferences in strategic operational positions could fuel suspicions that the electoral process was tilted in favor of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The party urged the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), to publish details of the latest postings, the criteria used in selecting officers for the positions and the reasons behind the changes.

According to the ADC, disclosing the information will help reassure Nigerians across the country that election officials will carry out their duties impartially, irrespective of their ethnic, linguistic or regional background.

The party warned that failure to address the allegations could have serious consequences for the credibility of the 2027 election.

“Allowing such accusations to go unpunished without serious, evidence-based rebuttals could have a serious impact on the integrity of the election,” he said.

The electoral body has set January 16, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027 for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.