2027: ADC Alleges Ethnic Bias in INEC Postings, Demands Explanation

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain recent personnel postings and redeployments, alleging that the changes may favour officials from the South-West in sensitive electoral departments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday, October 11, 2026, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC had received reports and complaints about the movement of officers serving in key departments, including Electoral Operations and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The party alleged that some officers from northern states had been transferred from those departments and replaced by officials from Lagos and other South-West states.

“We have specific names of officers moved from Electoral Operations and ICT in a number of northern states and replaced with officers from Lagos and other South-West states. INEC may dismiss this as routine. But we have noticed a pattern, especially along ethnic lines, and we are concerned,” the statement said.

The ADC did not publish the names of the affected officers or provide documentary evidence to substantiate the alleged pattern in its statement.

ADC Seeks Transparency Over Staff Redeployments

The opposition party said it was not making a conclusive allegation of deliberate wrongdoing but argued that claims capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral commission required a clear response.

It maintained that personnel changes in departments responsible for election operations and technology should be explained, particularly as political parties prepare for the 2027 polls.

The ADC warned that a pattern perceived to favour one region could raise questions about INEC’s neutrality, regardless of the reasons behind the administrative decisions.

The party also argued that such concerns could fuel suspicions that the electoral process was being tilted in favour of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It did not, however, establish that the reported redeployments were politically motivated.

Party Asks INEC to Publish Posting Criteria

The ADC called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to publish details of the affected postings, explain the criteria used to select officers for sensitive positions and clarify the reasons for the changes.

According to the party, disclosure would help reassure Nigerians that electoral officials would perform their duties impartially, regardless of their ethnicity, language or region of origin.

“Allowing such allegations to go without a serious, evidence-based rebuttal could have serious implications for the integrity of the elections,” the party said.

As of the reports reviewed, INEC had not publicly responded to the specific allegations raised by the ADC.

The controversy comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, placing renewed attention on the electoral commission’s administrative decisions and the need for public confidence in its independence and impartiality.