Concerns have emerged over alleged ethnic imbalance in the leadership of sensitive departments of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following reports that seven Yoruba persons from the South-West are heading key units of the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The reported departments include Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Procurement, Planning and Monitoring, Litigation and Prosecution, Commission Secretariat, Voter Register and Audit.
According to the reports, the departments are headed by directors from the South-West, while the South-South, South-East, North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones reportedly have one director each.
The development has triggered calls for transparency and raised questions about INEC’s impartiality, credibility and compliance with the federal character principle as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Some opposition figures have also expressed concerns that the alleged imbalance could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, with claims that it might create room for manipulation of election outcomes.
Reacting to the reports, Nigerian businessman and social commentator, Prince Isaac Fayose, questioned whether INEC had become an institution dominated by a particular ethnic group.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Fayose called on the commission to urgently address the allegations to protect its reputation and public acceptance.
He said: “While I’m not insinuating anything beyond what any reasonable Nigerian would insinuate under the circumstance, is it proper, fair, safe and acceptable that individuals from a particular geopolitical zone and tribe have complete control of unarguably the most sensitive departments of INEC during a general election?
“INEC needs to clearly, urgently, publicly and transparently address this issue – if it wants to be seen as truly independent, impartial and uncompromised.
“Politicians should not try to achieve through the back door what they have not earned and can’t achieve through the front door – especially using a public institution that is public funded and one supposed to be independent, impartial and above reproach,” he wrote.
Similarly, an X user, Dr Michael Abiodun, said the reported list, if authentic, could raise serious questions about the commission’s structure and its ability to inspire confidence across the country.
“If the viral list is true, then this is not INEC Headquarters structure, this is the Afenifere branch office with the INEC logo,” he wrote.
Abiodun specifically questioned how voters from the South-East and other regions could be assured of the integrity of election results transmitted through INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) if the ICT, Voter Register and Litigation departments were controlled by officials from one geopolitical zone.
He argued that public confidence in elections depends not only on the actual counting of votes but also on the perception that the process is fair and transparent.
However, Abiodun cautioned against accepting the circulating list without verification, noting that similar claims often emerge during election seasons and may contain outdated information, exaggerations or details about acting directors rather than substantive officeholders.
He urged INEC to publish a comprehensive organisational chart showing the names, states of origin and appointment dates of directors across its departments.
According to him, such disclosure would help establish whether the allegations were accurate and enable the commission to address any genuine concerns about regional representation.
“If the list is false, publishing will kill fake news. If the list is true, then INEC Chairman has 48 hours to correct it in line with Federal Character, because you cannot preach credible election with incredible structure,” he said.
Also reacting, Paul Ibe, media aide to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, called on INEC to provide an immediate explanation of the reported appointments.
Ibe said Nigerians deserved clarity on whether the alleged concentration of sensitive departments in the hands of officials from one geopolitical zone complied with the federal character principle.
“Given INEC’s constitutional responsibility to conduct free, fair and credible elections, Nigerians deserve a transparent explanation of this apparent imbalance and whether the appointments comply with the federal character principle.
“Electoral impartiality must not only be guaranteed; it must also be demonstrably evident,” he wrote on X.
The calls for clarification come as political parties and stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with growing emphasis on the independence of electoral institutions and public confidence in the voting process.
INEC’s response to the allegations would be crucial in establishing the accuracy of the circulating list and addressing concerns about regional representation within its leadership.
