The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to explain reported redeployments involving key departments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
HURIWA says the reported changes raise troubling questions about the commission’s neutrality and could undermine public confidence in the electoral process if INEC fails to provide clear explanations.
The association particularly questioned the reported deployment of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi to head INEC’s Electoral Operations Department, following reports that her husband, Otunba Segun Showunmi, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, has publicly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“Why should INEC assign a woman whose husband reportedly supports President Tinubu’s re-election bid to head Electoral Operations, one of the most sensitive departments in the commission? This decision raises legitimate questions that Professor Amupitan must urgently answer,” HURIWA said.
HURIWA stressed that it was not declaring Adeyemi-Showunmi compromised because of her husband’s political affiliations. However, the association insisted that INEC must address the potential perception of a conflict of interest and explain the criteria it applied in making the appointment.
The association said the commission could not afford to ignore concerns surrounding decisions that affect public confidence in the management of elections.
Reports indicate that INEC redeployed Isah Magaji Gummi, the former Director of Electoral Operations, to the Voter Registry Department and assigned Adeyemi-Showunmi, formerly the administrative secretary of its Lagos office, to head Electoral Operations.
HURIWA also questioned the reported leadership of the Information and Communication Technology Department by Dr Lawrence Bayode, who has been identified in reports as an official from the South-West.
The association warned that the reported placement of officials from the President’s region in strategically important departments could fuel suspicion unless INEC explains its decisions and demonstrates that it prioritises competence, due process and institutional independence.
“HURIWA finds these reported redeployments ominous and suspicious. INEC must not allow unanswered questions about its internal arrangements to erode Nigerians’ confidence in the 2027 elections,” the association said.
HURIWA urged Amupitan to explain why the commission moved Gummi from Electoral Operations, disclose the criteria it used to assign Adeyemi-Showunmi to the department and clarify the safeguards it applies when appointing officials to sensitive positions.
The association also called on INEC to explain how it prevents political interests from influencing election administration, including the management of sensitive materials, polling operations and technology-driven electoral processes.
HURIWA noted that the Electoral Operations Department coordinates critical activities, including the distribution of election materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, polling arrangements and the supervision of collation processes.
It added that the ICT Department also plays an important role in electoral administration, making transparency in the leadership and management of both departments essential.
The association said INEC must address legitimate concerns before the election season intensifies rather than wait until political parties and voters begin questioning its decisions during the polls.
HURIWA also backed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s call for INEC to explain the reported redeployments and disclose arrangements for the production, printing and custody of sensitive election materials.
Atiku urged the commission to publish the criteria guiding appointments and redeployments and demonstrate that it followed due process, prioritised merit and rejected political interference.
He also cautioned against assuming that any official was compromised because of ethnicity, regional origin or personal associations.
HURIWA said it shared the view that stakeholders must distinguish between legitimate questions about institutional neutrality and unproven allegations of electoral manipulation.
However, the association insisted that INEC must provide verifiable answers to prevent avoidable suspicions from weakening public trust in the electoral process.
HURIWA called on opposition parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to demand transparency through lawful and democratic means.
The association urged Amupitan to demonstrate that INEC operates independently of the Presidency, the ruling All Progressives Congress and every other political interest.
“INEC must come clean. Nigerians deserve an electoral commission that inspires confidence through its decisions and actions. Professor Amupitan must explain these reported redeployments and demonstrate that no political interest can influence the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections,” HURIWA said.
The association stressed that allegations of political interference require verifiable evidence but maintained that INEC must not treat demands for transparency as an attack on its leadership.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
13th October, 2026
