ADC raises alarm over electoral officers’ redeployment in Rivers

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rivers State Chapter, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to explain the recent redeployment of seven Electoral Officers from the state, amid allegations that political interests may be seeking to influence the electoral machinery ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, the party said it recognised INEC’s authority to deploy and redeploy its personnel, but insisted that such decisions must be transparent and free from political interference, particularly in Rivers State.

The ADC said it had received information suggesting that some of the redeployed officers were considered unacceptable to certain political interests because they were perceived as unwilling to compromise their professional independence or take instructions outside INEC’s lawful authority.

The party also alleged that some subsequent postings and proposed redeployments may have been influenced by persons associated with the political grouping known as the “Rainbow Coalition”.

The ADC, however, stressed that it was not presenting the allegations as established facts, but wanted INEC to investigate and provide clear answers.

“INEC is the institution in possession of the facts, and Rivers people deserve clear answers,” the statement read.

The party asked INEC to confirm whether seven Electoral Officers had been redeployed from Rivers State, explain who authorised the move and the official reasons for it, and disclose the criteria used in posting their replacements to the state.

It also demanded clarification on whether any political organisation, coalition, government official or politically exposed person had made representations concerning the deployment or removal of electoral personnel, particularly in Obio/Akpor.

The ADC said its concerns were heightened by recent political pronouncements concerning the 2027 elections in Rivers State, including repeated expressions of confidence by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, about the expected political outcome.

The party said such statements, combined with unexplained changes involving electoral personnel, could raise questions about the integrity of the electoral process.

“Elections are not won by proclamation,” it added.

The ADC also raised concerns over information about the alleged compilation of names of persons being considered for sensitive ad-hoc electoral duties ahead of the 2027 elections, urging INEC to explain how such personnel would be recruited, screened and selected.

It called for safeguards against the placement of politically partisan individuals in sensitive electoral positions and a mechanism through which political parties and other stakeholders could raise documented concerns about the neutrality of electoral personnel.

The party urged the INEC Chairman, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner and relevant National Commissioners to investigate the allegations, clarify the circumstances surrounding the redeployments and publicly reassure Rivers residents that no political actor would be allowed to interfere with the administration of the 2027 elections.

The ADC also called on civil society organisations, the media, professional and religious bodies, election observers and other democratic institutions to closely monitor preparations for the election.

It said the purpose of its intervention was to ensure that concerns about the electoral process were addressed before election day, rather than after the results had been declared.

The party maintained that the choice of who governs Rivers State must ultimately be determined by voters through a free, fair and credible election.