The African Democratic Congress ADC, Rivers State chapter, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, of a suspicious deployment of electoral officers in state ahead of the 2027 general election.
The ADC also drew the attention of the media, civil society organisations and the public to an alleged attempts by political interests in the state to influence the electoral machinery ahead of the polls.
In a statement by its Rivers States Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, the party said “let us state from the outset that the ADC recognises the administrative authority of INEC to deploy and redeploy its personnel in accordance with its operational requirements.
“However, that authority must be exercised transparently, professionally and in a manner that inspires public confidence, particularly in a politically sensitive state such as Rivers State.
“Information available to the ADC indicates that seven Electoral Officers previously serving in Rivers State have been redeployed to other states.
“We have received further disturbing information suggesting that some of these officers were considered unacceptable to certain political interests because they were perceived as unwilling to compromise their professional independence or take instructions outside the lawful authority of INEC.
“Even more concerning are allegations reaching the party that certain subsequent postings and proposed redeployments may have been influenced by persons associated with a political grouping popularly referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition.
“Specifically, information available to us alleges the involvement of one Uju, who is said to be playing a coordinating or supervisory role in this process and who, according to the information reaching us, has allegedly been promised influence or control over electoral operations in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
“These are grave allegations. The ADC is not presenting these claims as established facts. Neither are we asking Rivers people to accept them merely because they have been brought to our attention.
“We are asking INEC to confirm or deny them. INEC is the institution in possession of the facts, and Rivers people deserve clear answers.”
The party challenged INEC to deny or accept the redeployment of seven electoral officers from Rivers State to other states
“If so, who authorised the redeployments and what were the official reasons?
Where were the replacement Electoral Officers transferred from, and what criteria informed their posting to Rivers State?
“Did any political organisation, coalition, government official or politically exposed person make representations concerning the removal, retention or posting of any Electoral Officer in Rivers State?
“Does INEC have any knowledge of the alleged involvement of Uju in discussions, recommendations or arrangements concerning the deployment of electoral personnel, particularly in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area?
“What safeguards has INEC put in place to ensure that its officers in Rivers State remain completely independent of political influence?,” the party queried.
It further said “electoral officers are not the property of any political party, coalition, government official or powerful individual.
“They are officers of an independent electoral institution and must answer only to the constitution, the law and the lawful authority of INEC.
“Our concern must also be understood against the backdrop of recent public political pronouncements concerning the 2027 elections in Rivers State.
“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has repeatedly spoken with extraordinary confidence about the political outcome expected in Rivers State in 2027.”
The ADC also alleged collection and compilation of names of persons being considered for sensitive ad-hoc electoral responsibilities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Of particular concern, it alleged , were allegations that names are being gathered or recommended through channels that may be connected to partisan political interests.
The ADC therefore called on the chairman of INEC, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State and the relevant National Commissioners to urgently clarify the circumstances surrounding the recent redeployment of electoral officers from rivers State
“State the official reasons and administrative criteria for those redeployments and subsequent postings;
“Confirm or deny whether any political actor, coalition, government official or intermediary influenced or attempted to influence the redeployment or posting of electoral personnel in Rivers State;
“Specifically investigate and clarify the allegation concerning the involvement of Uju and the alleged arrangements relating to Obio/Akpor Local Government Area;
“Guarantee a transparent and politically neutral process for the recruitment, screening, training and deployment of Returning Officers and other sensitive ad-hoc electoral personnel;
“Establish an appropriate mechanism through which political parties and other legitimate stakeholders can raise documented concerns regarding the neutrality of electoral personnel; and
“Publicly reassure the people of Rivers State that no individual, political party, coalition or government official will be permitted to interfere with the administration of the 2027 elections,” it demanded.
The ADC noted that its demands should not be misconstrued as an attack on INEC an invitation to INEC to demonstrate its independence.
“The ADC will support every lawful action taken by the commission to strengthen the integrity of our elections. But where credible information raises questions about possible political interference with electoral administration, we will not remain silent.
“We will not wait until after the election to ask questions that ought to be answered before the election.
“We therefore call upon civil society organisations, the media, religious and professional bodies, election observers and all democratic institutions to pay close attention to the preparations for the 2027 elections in Rivers State.
“INEC must therefore demonstrate, both in word and action, that it will be an impartial umpire.
“The 2027 election in Rivers State must be decided at the polling units by accredited voters, not in political meetings, not through administrative manipulation, and certainly not through the alleged capture of the electoral machinery,” the party added.
