‘It is becoming clearer,’ the human rights lawyer says as HURIWA demands answers over redeployments at the electoral commission
Human rights lawyer Chidi Anselm Odinkalu has questioned the reported appointment of Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi, wife of political figure Segun Showunmi, to head the Electoral Operations Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding to concerns over the commission’s personnel changes ahead of the 2027 general election.
Odinkalu raised the issue on October 18 in response to a Leadership report on the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria’s (HURIWA) concerns over the redeployments. “Oh, so @SegunShowunmi’s wife is now in charge of electoral operations in @inecnigeria? It is becoming clearer….!” he wrote on X.
He did not specify what, in his view, the appointment reveals. But his comment has drawn attention to the political connections surrounding a senior assignment at the electoral commission, at a time when Nigerians are watching how INEC prepares for the next presidential election.
Adeyemi-Showunmi’s husband is a prominent political commentator and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential campaign. He has since publicly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. The combination has prompted questions about the appointment, although neither the marriage nor Showunmi’s political position establishes that his wife is compromised or that INEC intends to favour any candidate.
The issue is whether INEC can explain the decision, demonstrate that it was based on professional considerations and show how it prevents personal or political interests from affecting the work of its officials.
A key department ahead of 2027
Reports say Adeyemi-Showunmi was moved from her previous role as Administrative Secretary of INEC’s Lagos office to head Electoral Operations at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Isah Magaji Gummi, who previously headed the department, was reportedly redeployed to Voter Registry.
Electoral Operations handles important aspects of election preparation, including the planning and distribution of election materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc personnel, polling arrangements and coordination involving collation and returning officers. Its work helps determine how election plans are carried out across the country.
The department’s director cannot independently determine an election result. However, the position carries substantial operational responsibility, making the reasons for the reported changes a legitimate matter for public examination.
INEC should explain why Gummi was moved, what qualifications and experience informed Adeyemi-Showunmi’s appointment, and whether the changes followed established procedures. The commission should also describe the controls governing election materials, staff assignments and operational decisions, including how those controls prevent individual officials from bypassing established processes.
HURIWA demands an explanation
HURIWA has called on INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan to explain the reported redeployments and address concerns that the changes could undermine public confidence before the 2027 elections. Its concerns include Adeyemi-Showunmi’s appointment, Gummi’s transfer and the safeguards against political interference in sensitive election operations.
The association has not established that Adeyemi-Showunmi has acted improperly. Its concern is that the circumstances of the appointment could create doubts about impartiality if INEC does not explain its decision and the safeguards governing the department.
That concern must be handled fairly. A public servant should not be judged guilty of bias because of a spouse’s political choices. At the same time, an institution responsible for administering elections must be willing to explain appointments that raise reasonable questions about conflicts of interest.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has also called for disclosure of the criteria used for appointments and redeployments in key INEC departments. He has raised broader questions about the production, printing and custody of sensitive election materials ahead of 2027.
Other civil society groups have cautioned against treating allegations of ethnic favouritism or political interference as proven facts without independent evidence. That caution is warranted. Neither a person’s regional origin nor a family member’s political affiliation establishes wrongdoing. But asking INEC to explain its decisions and publish the relevant criteria is a reasonable demand, not an accusation of guilt.
What INEC needs to clarify
The commission should confirm the appointments and their effective dates, explain the administrative reasons for the changes and state the criteria used to select the officials. It should also outline the safeguards that govern the handling and distribution of election materials, the assignment of personnel and the reporting of operational irregularities.
If Adeyemi-Showunmi was selected on the strength of her experience and qualifications, INEC should provide the relevant information. If Gummi’s redeployment formed part of a routine reshuffle, the commission should explain its purpose. Where conflict-of-interest rules apply, INEC should clarify how they are enforced.
Such disclosure would help Nigerians assess the decision on its merits and protect the officials concerned from speculation. It would also show that INEC recognises the importance of public confidence as it prepares for a consequential election.
Odinkalu’s post has brought a political relationship into focus, but the decisive issue is how INEC made the appointment and whether its procedures are strong enough to keep political interests out of election administration. The commission should answer those questions with facts, not expect Nigerians to accept its decisions without explanation.
(Law & Society Magazine)
