The spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of creating a potential conflict of interest ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that allowing the wife of Segun Sowunmi to head the commission’s Electoral Operations Department amounts to rigging the election before it takes place.

Okonkwo made the allegation during an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, where he questioned the appropriateness of the appointment and argued that the position carries responsibilities capable of influencing the conduct of elections.

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Explaining his objection, the lawyer and political commentator said the issue was not necessarily whether the appointee would act impartially, but whether the relationship could create a reasonable perception of bias.

“We are not talking about whether there will be bias. We are saying that anything that has the likelihood of bias is not allowed,” he said.

He compared the situation to legal and medical professions, arguing that certain relationships are considered inappropriate when they could compromise professional independence.

“That is why your father cannot be a judge in your own case. Your father may be the most honest person in the whole world, but cannot be a judge in your own case if you are the son. It is illegal,” Okonkwo said.

He also cited an instance involving a senator whose wife was a judge, arguing that personal relationships could raise questions about impartiality in the handling of official responsibilities.

Okonkwo said the Electoral Operations Department plays a central role in the administration of elections, particularly in the distribution of electoral materials and the deployment of personnel.

Listing the department’s responsibilities, he said it oversees the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, recruits and trains ad hoc staff, and coordinates polling unit and collation operations.

According to him, these responsibilities make the position particularly important to the credibility of the 2027 elections.

“So allowing the wife of Sowunmi to be the electoral operations department officer is rigging the election before the time,” he said.

He further argued that the appointment should be considered against the political affiliations of those involved, referencing Sowunmi’s political association and his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He alleged that the circumstances surrounding the appointment created a risk of bias, insisting that the concern was about the possibility of compromised electoral neutrality rather than proof that election manipulation had already occurred.

When asked to provide evidence that the election had already been rigged, Okonkwo maintained that the likelihood of bias was sufficient to warrant concern.

“No, I’m telling you, there is absolute likelihood of bias. I’m telling you what the law says,” he said.

He also questioned the integrity of the voters’ register, alleging that deceased persons remained listed among registered voters.

“What is going on in the voters register? You can see how dead people are still found there. Akeredolu is still there,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to make the preliminary register of voters for the 2027 general elections available online following concerns over its accessibility.

This comes after reports of delays in uploading the preliminary register online, despite the completion of the nationwide physical display exercise, raising concerns about public access to the document ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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In a press statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), said the commission had taken note of concerns expressed by Nigerians and other stakeholders regarding the need to make the register accessible online.

INEC disclosed that it conducted the physical display of the Preliminary Register of Voters at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15, 2026.

According to the commission, the exercise was carried out in accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act, 2026, to provide registered voters with an opportunity to inspect their particulars and submit claims and objections as prescribed by law.

Responding to the concerns, INEC said it had decided to make the same preliminary register available through its online platform.

“Accordingly, and in furtherance of its commitment to transparency, accessibility and public confidence in the electoral process, the Commission has decided to make available on its online platform display.inecnigeria.org the same Preliminary Register of Voters earlier displayed at the Registration Areas,” the statement said.

The commission explained that the additional measure would complement the physical display already conducted and provide wider access to the register.

“This additional measure complements the physical display already undertaken and is intended to facilitate wider public access to the Register,” INEC stated.

The commission added that it was continuing to process claims and objections arising from the exercise in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC said the process would precede the certification and publication of the Final Register of Voters, scheduled for December 15, 2026.

The commission also appreciated Nigerians and other stakeholders for their continued interest and engagement, reiterating its commitment to transparency, accountability and credible elections.

“The Commission appreciates the continued interest and constructive engagement of Nigerians and stakeholders and reiterates its commitment to transparency, accountability and the faithful implementation of the Electoral Act, 2026 in delivering credible elections,” the statement added.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using propaganda to distract Nigerians from the failures of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following allegations that the opposition party owes its staff more than 12 months’ salaries.

In a press statement dated October 26, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the allegations by the APC Presidential Campaign Council as an “irresponsible falsehood” and an attempt to divert attention from the country’s economic challenges.

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The controversy began after the APC Presidential Campaign Council, through its spokesperson, Dele Alake, accused the ADC’s National Working Committee, led by Senator David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, of failing to pay party workers for more than a year.

According to the statement, the APC described the alleged non-payment of salaries as “wicked and reprehensible”, arguing that a party seeking to govern Nigeria should be able to meet its obligations to its workforce.

“We find it unconscionable that a political party that has made many grandiose promises to hoodwink Nigerians owes its workers for more than 12 months,” Alake said.

The APC campaign council also accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, whom it identified as the ADC’s presidential candidate, of having a history of owing employees at businesses associated with him, including Gotel Communication.

Alake further criticised Aregbesola’s record on workers’ salaries and pension payments during his eight-year tenure as governor of Osun State.

The council alleged that Aregbesola’s administration introduced quarter-salary and, at times, half-salary payments for workers, while pensioners allegedly went for more than four years without receiving their entitlements.

Based on these allegations, the APC campaign council urged Nigerians to reject the ADC, Atiku and other candidates of the party in the 2027 general elections, arguing that a party unable to manage its workforce should not be entrusted with the country’s affairs.

Responding to the allegations, the ADC dismissed the APC’s claims as an attempt to mislead Nigerians and divert attention from the performance of the Tinubu administration.

“We find it rather amusing that a government that has presided over one of the most painful periods of economic hardship in our country’s recent history now considers itself qualified to lecture anyone about the welfare of workers,” the statement read.

The opposition party argued that the ruling party was making allegations against its political opponents because it lacked achievements to defend.

“When a government has no achievements to defend, it must manufacture allegations to discuss,” it added.

Rejecting the allegation of unpaid salaries, the ADC challenged the APC to provide evidence to support its claims.

“The ADC categorically rejects this allegation as an irresponsible falsehood, deliberately concocted to mislead Nigerians and distract attention from the monumental failures of the Tinubu administration. If the APC has any credible evidence to support its claims, it should produce it rather than continue to insult Nigerians with fabricated stories masquerading as press statements,” the statement said.

The ADC maintained that the allegations against it were an attempt by the ruling party to shift public attention away from the challenges facing Nigerians.

According to the party, the country’s major concerns include the rising cost of living, unemployment among young people and insecurity affecting lives, livelihoods and communities.

“The real issue is not the imaginary crisis that the APC is desperately trying to manufacture within the ADC. The real issue is the crisis that President Bola Tinubu and his government have created in the homes of millions of Nigerians,” the statement read.

“The real issue is the cost of living. The real issue is the absence of jobs and opportunities for our young people. The real issue is the insecurity that continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and communities across the country.”

The opposition party said these were the issues on which the Tinubu administration should be judged, insisting that allegations against political opponents could not erase the government’s record.

The ADC also accused the APC of concentrating on allegations against opposition parties instead of presenting its achievements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the APC has decided to run its 2027 campaign on allegations against the opposition rather than achievements of its own. That is what happens when a government has spent years making promises it cannot keep and excuses it cannot defend,” the statement said.

The party advised Alake and his colleagues to focus on explaining why Nigerians should support the ruling party for another term, given what it described as the hardship, insecurity and economic uncertainty experienced over the past three years.

It further argued that although the APC controls the machinery of government, it cannot control the daily experiences of Nigerians.

“The APC may control the machinery of government, but it cannot control the lived experiences of Nigerians. And no amount of propaganda targeted at the opposition can erase the monumental record of the ruling APC,” the statement added.

The ADC said the cost of living would remain a central issue in its engagement with the Tinubu administration, adding that it would not be distracted by allegations against the party.

“This election is about one issue only: the cost of living that the Tinubu administration has pushed beyond the reach of the majority of Nigerians. The ADC will stay focused on this issue. We will not be distracted. We will continue to hold this government accountable on the issues that matter to Nigerians,” the statement read.

The party concluded by challenging the APC to defend its record and present solutions to the country’s challenges rather than make allegations against the opposition.

“If the APC has a record to defend, let it defend it. If it has solutions, let it present them. But it should stop insulting the intelligence of Nigerians with these increasingly desperate distractions,” Abdullahi said.