Controversy don dey follow how INEC move Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi go head Director of Electoral Operations ahead of 2027 general election. Na SaharaReporters first report the redeployment, and her husband, Segun Showunmi, don confirm am.
Segun Showunmi na member of Media and Strategic Communications Directorate of President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of 2027. E confirm the report when e appear on Channels Television. Di anchor ask whether di new position na reward for im work inside di APC presidential campaign council, and Segun Showunmi react angrily.
“I take exception to that nonsense. Don’t you dare say that about me. Reward who? Reward who? That’s a civil servant. She’s a level 17 officer and has worked in INEC all of her life. She was Lagos State admin secretary – didn’t Peter Obi win there in 2023?” na how e reply.
E explain say im wife na career civil servant and level 17 officer. According to am, she do her NYSC for Maiduguri and she don work with INEC all her life. E talk say the posting come from inside INEC and e no get anything to do with him or im political activities.
INEC redeploy her from Lagos State, where she serve as Administrative Secretary, to head Electoral Operations for its headquarters. Before di movement, Isah Magaji Gummi, one director from northern Nigeria, na im head Electoral Operations. Dem move am go Voter Registry Department, while she take charge of Electoral Operations.
Di matter draw attention because of her husband political involvement and because Electoral Operations Department get strategic role as country prepare for another general election. Di department dey involved for election planning and implementation, including coordination of polling arrangements, deployment of election materials and management of personnel for electoral operations. But di director no dey independently determine election results.
Debate also spark for social media over transparency, political neutrality and public confidence inside INEC. One user, @SholaOlapade, ask whether spouses or direct family members of politicians and politically exposed persons suppose dey work for INEC or Judiciary, and whether dem fit ever neutral. @Ogundamisi talk say the reported redeployment raise questions about transparency and need to keep public confidence in INEC impartiality ahead of 2027 general election.
But @LydiaValch defend her, talk say make people allow her career. The user argue say the fact say she marry no mean say she suppose hide. @Hootshooter allege say the redeployment na part of plan to manipulate 2027 elections, but the user no provide evidence to substantiate the claim for the comment.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar na one of those wey first raise alarm over the matter. E demand immediate and full transparency from INEC for statement wey im Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, issue.
