2027: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN,
IMO OPPOSITION PARTIES RAISE ALARM OVER REDEPLOYMENT OF 27 INEC ELECTORAL OFFICERS, ALLEGE POSSIBLE POLITICAL INTERFERENCE
Demand probe into alleged $20,000 inducement, BVAS operations, PVC management, IT personnel changes
By Anselem Anokwute
The Coalition of Major Opposition Political Parties in Imo State has raised concerns over the reported redeployment of 27 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Electoral Officers in the state, alleging possible political interference in the administration of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, which comprises several opposition political parties, also expressed concerns over the management of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the deployment and operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), electronic transmission of election results and the alleged influence of political interests in the selection and placement of electoral personnel.
Addressing a world press conference in Owerri on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the ADC State Publicity Secretary Chief MacDonald Amadi leading all the opposition parties said the reported redeployment of all 27 Electoral Officers and their replacement with newly posted officials had raised questions requiring urgent clarification from the electoral umpire.
The coalition acknowledged INEC’s constitutional authority to transfer, redeploy and reorganise its personnel in the interest of administrative efficiency but argued that the scale and timing of the reported exercise, alongside other developments, warranted independent scrutiny.
According to Chief Amadi, the opposition parties, had received reports and allegations suggesting that the redeployment might have been influenced by considerations beyond routine administrative requirements, including possible partisan interests.
They, however, emphasised that the allegations had not been independently established and should not be regarded as proven facts, insisting that an impartial investigation was necessary to protect public confidence in the electoral process.
The coalition also raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the selection of some newly posted officials and reported personnel changes within INEC’s Information Technology Department in Imo State.
It urged the Commission to explain the criteria adopted in the appointments and redeployments and establish whether due administrative procedures were followed.
On the deployment of BVAS and electronic transmission of election results, the opposition parties expressed concern over reports suggesting possible operational challenges with some devices expected to be deployed during the 2027 elections.
They alleged that questions had emerged concerning the ability of certain BVAS devices to upload polling unit results successfully to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
The coalition further claimed to have received reports about possible alternative arrangements involving the movement of result sheets to designated centres before uploading.
While acknowledging that the claims had not been independently verified, the opposition parties called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to investigate the reports and clarify whether any such arrangements existed.
They insisted that the Commission must guarantee the integrity of BVAS operations and electronic transmission of results, stressing that electoral technology must remain secure, transparent and free from unauthorised interference
The opposition coalition also expressed concern over complaints surrounding the alleged disappearance or unavailability of some uncollected Permanent Voter Cards in certain locations across the state.
It said some registered voters had reportedly encountered difficulties accessing their PVCs at designated INEC offices.
The parties therefore called for a comprehensive audit of PVC records in Imo State to establish the number of cards received, collected and remaining uncollected.
They maintained that every eligible Nigerian must be given unhindered access to their voter cards to enable full participation in the democratic process.
The coalition further raised questions over the recruitment, screening and deployment of INEC ad-hoc personnel, including presiding officers, collation officers and returning officers.
It alleged that reports had emerged suggesting attempts by individuals with political or government connections to influence the selection and placement of electoral personnel.
The opposition parties urged INEC to make its recruitment and deployment procedures transparent and ensure that political considerations did not determine who was assigned to sensitive electoral responsibilities.
They also called for stronger monitoring mechanisms to prevent undue influence over the Commission’s workforce.
In a particularly serious allegation, the coalition claimed that information circulating within political circles suggested that an offer of $20,000 might have been made to each of the 27 newly redeployed Electoral Officers, allegedly to influence the conduct of the 2027 elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The opposition parties, however, stressed that the allegation had not been independently verified and was not being presented as an established fact.
They called on INEC leadership, anti-corruption agencies and relevant law enforcement authorities to investigate whether any financial inducement, attempted bribery or questionable transaction had taken place.
The coalition maintained that if the allegation proved false, the appropriate clarification should be made publicly, but where evidence established wrongdoing, those involved should face the full weight of the law.
It also cautioned electoral officials against accepting money, gifts or other benefits capable of compromising their independence and professional responsibilities.
The opposition parties also expressed concern over reported activities of a group known as the Pan-Igbo Youth Assembly, which had reportedly called for the removal of INEC National Commissioner, Mr. Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu.
The coalition said it was not taking sides on the position or conduct of any individual INEC official but insisted that all allegations against electoral officers should be addressed through established institutional procedures.
It warned against allowing political campaigns and pressure groups to distract INEC from its constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
The parties consequently urged the Commission to concentrate on addressing the concerns surrounding the reported redeployment of the 27 Electoral Officers, changes within the IT Department, PVC management, BVAS operations and ad-hoc staff placements.
Consequently, the coalition made a series of demands, calling on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to order an independent and comprehensive review of the reported redeployment of the 27 Electoral Officers in Imo State and publicly explain the administrative reasons behind the exercise.
It also demanded an investigation into allegations of possible partisan influence in the appointment and deployment of electoral personnel, particularly within the IT Department.
Other demands included a comprehensive examination of the reported BVAS operational concerns, electronic transmission procedures, PVC distribution and collection records, as well as the recruitment and deployment of ad-hoc electoral personnel.
The coalition equally appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and other security agencies to remain vigilant against activities capable of undermining electoral peace, public order and democratic participation.
It further called on anti-corruption agencies, international organisations, election monitoring bodies and other democratic institutions to pay close attention to developments surrounding preparations for the 2027 general elections in Imo State.
The opposition parties also challenged the ruling APC in the state to publicly address the concerns and reassure Ndi Imo that it had no interest in influencing the electoral umpire or securing an undue advantage through the deployment of electoral personnel.
The coalition recalled that previous election cycles in Imo State had generated controversies, legal disputes and disagreements over electoral procedures and outcomes.
It said the experiences should serve as lessons for all stakeholders ahead of 2027, stressing that the people of Imo State deserved an electoral process in which every vote would count and the outcome would reflect the freely expressed wishes of the electorate.
The opposition parties insisted that their intervention was not intended to intimidate INEC officials, blackmail any individual, undermine the Commission or interfere with its constitutional responsibilities.
Rather, they described their action as a proactive effort to ensure that all concerns capable of affecting the credibility of the forthcoming elections were addressed before election day.
They further declared their commitment to peaceful and constitutional engagement, promising to mobilise their members, supporters and the general public to defend the sanctity of the ballot.
The coalition concluded that the 2027 general elections were too important to be left to speculation, suspicion and unanswered questions, urging INEC to demonstrate independence, impartiality and transparency in all its operations.
It maintained that the credibility of the forthcoming elections must not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan political interests.
The press conference was signed by Chief Macdonald Amadi KSM, Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Party (ADC), Imo State; Barr. Chuks Agbugba, Publicity Secretary, Labour Party, Imo State; Amb. Steve Nnadi, Publicity Secretary, Action Peoples Party (APP), Imo State; and Comrade Lancelot Obiaku, State Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other signatories included Hon. Benneth Obiakor II, State Publicity Secretary, Young Progressives Party (YPP); Comrade Ayozie, State Publicity Secretary, National Democratic Party (NDC); and Hon. Cosmos Unakalamba of Action Alliance (AA), Imo State, alongside other participating opposition party publicity secretaries.
