The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption (COCSOAC) has cautioned against unverified allegations of ethnic favouritism and political interference in staff redeployments at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The organisations urged Nigerians to exercise restraint and allow facts to guide public discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The coalition alongside more than 33 partner organisations, said allegations concerning the redeployment of some INEC officials should not be treated as established facts without independent verification and evidence of wrongdoing.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, COCSOAC President, Bola Ademola, and its National Secretary, Comrade Abdulfatah Aliyu, said it had taken note of an online publication alleging questionable staff redeployments at the commission.

The intervention comes amid controversy over reported personnel changes at INEC, following allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that recent postings in strategic departments could favour officials from Lagos and other South-West states.

The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Sunday, October 11, called on the commission to explain the reported movement of northern officials from sensitive departments, including Electoral Operations and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

A report published on Tuesday also identified the reported redeployment of Isah Magaji Gummi from the Electoral Operations Department to the Voter Registry Department, with Oluyemi Titilayo Adeyemi-Showunmi reportedly moving from her previous position as administrative secretary in INEC’s Lagos office to head Electoral Operations.

But COCSOAC said it had not independently verified the reported changes or the alleged motives behind them but warned against drawing premature conclusions about political interference or ethnic favouritism.

The organisation maintained that while INEC should be held accountable for its decisions, scrutiny of the electoral body must be guided by credible evidence, due process and the opportunity for affected parties to respond.

The coalition argued that staff redeployment was a recognised administrative practice that could serve legitimate purposes, including improving operational efficiency, professional development and strengthening management.

It added that the geographical origin or family associations of an official could not, on their own, establish bias or an intention to manipulate elections.

According to the organisations, the critical issues should be whether the redeployment decisions complied with applicable rules, received proper authorisation and were based on legitimate administrative considerations.

The coalition said: “As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, INEC remains central to the country’s democratic process. The Commission must be held accountable where necessary, but criticism should be based on credible evidence, due process and the opportunity for affected parties to respond.

“Public confidence in electoral institutions is best protected by responsible scrutiny rather than unverified allegations. COCSOAC has noted a faceless online media publication alleging questionable staff redeployments at INEC, including the reported reassignment of a Northern director and the placement of South West officials in key departments.

“We wish to clarify that we have not independently verified the reported changes or the alleged motives behind them. Consequently, claims of political interference or ethnic favouritism should not be treated as established facts. “Assuming without conceding that the redeployments occurred as reported, staff reassignment is a recognised administrative practice that may serve legitimate purposes, including operational efficiency, professional development and improved management.

“The geographical origin or family associations of an officer do not, by themselves, establish bias or an intention to manipulate elections. The relevant questions are whether the decisions complied with applicable rules, were properly authorised and were based on legitimate administrative considerations.”

The coalition consequently urged INEC to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported changes where appropriate, while calling on the media and civil society groups to avoid presenting unverified claims as facts.

It said responsible scrutiny, transparency and evidence-based engagement were essential to protecting public confidence in electoral institutions, particularly as preparations intensify for the next general elections.

The organisations called for institutional stability and continuity in the management of the electoral body, citing the importance of administrative experience in coordinating election preparations.

They congratulated INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran Anthony, on her turbaning and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider her for reappointment when her tenure expires, subject to applicable laws and relevant appointment procedures.

The coalition said retaining an experienced incumbent, where legally permissible and justified by performance, could help preserve institutional knowledge, strengthen coordination and support preparations for peaceful and credible elections.

It stressed, however, that any reappointment must comply with the law and respect INEC’s independence and the integrity of the electoral process.