A coalition of opposition political parties in Imo State has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), anti-graft agencies and security authorities over alleged attempts to compromise the integrity of the 2027 general elections in the state.
The coalition is demanding an independent investigation into alleged political interference in INEC’s operations, the redeployment of electoral officers, possible manipulation of election technology and claims of financial inducement involving electoral personnel.
In a petition dated November 6, 2026, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, the opposition parties raised concerns over developments within the commission’s Imo State office, calling for urgent institutional scrutiny to protect the credibility, transparency and impartiality of the forthcoming elections.
Key Highlights
- Imo opposition parties have petitioned INEC, EFCC, ICPC, the police and DSS over alleged electoral interference.
- The coalition questioned the redeployment of all 27 Electoral Officers across the state’s local government areas.
- It alleged that US$20,000 was offered to each of the redeployed officers, but said the claim requires independent investigation.
- The petition raised concerns about BVAS operations, electronic result transmission, PVC management and recruitment of ad-hoc staff.
- The opposition parties called for investigations and legal action against anyone found culpable.
Opposition Parties Send Petition to Electoral and Security Agencies
Copies of the petition, bearing official receiving stamps, were reportedly received on November 9, 2026, at the offices of the INEC National Chairman, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Other recipients included the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu; the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State; INEC National Commissioners; and relevant domestic and international election-monitoring organisations.
The coalition said its decision to formally petition the institutions was intended to move the concerns beyond political statements and place them before agencies empowered to investigate alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office, criminal conspiracy and threats to electoral integrity.
It urged the EFCC and ICPC to investigate any credible evidence of financial inducement, abuse of public office or political interference in the administration of elections in Imo State.
The parties also called for appropriate legal and disciplinary action against anyone found to have participated in attempts to compromise electoral personnel, processes, technology or materials, regardless of political affiliation or official position.
Coalition Questions Redeployment of 27 INEC Electoral Officers
One of the major concerns raised in the petition is the reported redeployment of all 27 Electoral Officers across the 27 local government areas of Imo State.
The coalition questioned the timing, circumstances and rationale behind the exercise, arguing that the mass redeployment requires independent examination ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also raised concerns about possible partisan influence in INEC’s personnel administration, particularly changes within the commission’s Information Technology Department in the state.
The petition further called for scrutiny of the professional relationships of the Imo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, in relation to the concerns raised by the opposition parties.
The coalition maintained that INEC should explain the administrative decisions and demonstrate that personnel changes were based on professional considerations rather than political interests.
Opposition Alleges Possible Compromise of BVAS, Result Transmission
The petition also raised concerns about the possible compromise of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of polling-unit results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
According to the coalition, reports circulating within political circles suggested an alleged plan to undermine the electronic transmission of results in selected polling units.
It claimed that result sheets could allegedly be moved to designated centres before being uploaded subsequently.
The opposition parties called on INEC to independently examine the allegations and clarify whether any such operational arrangements existed and whether they complied with established electoral procedures.
They stressed that the security and transparency of election technology must be protected to maintain public confidence in the 2027 polls.
Petition Raises Questions over Missing or Uncollected PVCs
The coalition also expressed concern over allegations surrounding the disappearance or inaccessibility of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in parts of the state.
It consequently demanded a comprehensive and independent audit of PVC records across all 27 local government areas to establish the number of cards received, collected and remaining uncollected.
The parties argued that voters must be able to access their cards without political interference or administrative obstacles.
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Opposition Raises Alarm over Alleged $20,000 Payments
One of the most serious claims in the petition concerns an alleged financial inducement involving the 27 redeployed Electoral Officers.
The coalition said an allegation had circulated within political circles that US$20,000 was allegedly offered to each of the officers to secure their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the opposition parties maintained that the claim should not be treated as an established fact without independent verification.
They called on anti-graft and security agencies to investigate the allegation, establish whether any financial inducement was offered and identify anyone who may have been involved.
The coalition also urged authorities to ensure that any individual found culpable faces appropriate legal consequences.
Ad-Hoc Staff Recruitment, INEC Commissioner Also Under Scrutiny
The petition further questioned possible political interference in the recruitment and selection of INEC ad-hoc personnel, including Presiding Officers, Collation Officers and Returning Officers.
The opposition parties called for transparent recruitment and screening procedures to ensure that electoral assignments are not influenced by partisan interests.
They also drew attention to a campaign reportedly initiated by the Pan-Igbo Youth Assembly calling for the removal of INEC National Commissioner, Mr Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu.
The coalition urged that the circumstances surrounding the campaign and its possible implications be examined through appropriate institutional channels.
It maintained that concerns involving electoral officials should be addressed through established procedures rather than political pressure or public campaigns.
Coalition Calls for Accountability, Challenges APC
The opposition parties said the allegations contained in the petition should neither be treated as proven findings nor dismissed as ordinary political disagreements, given their potential implications for electoral credibility and democratic stability.
They expressed willingness to provide relevant information in their possession to support any lawful investigation and encouraged individuals with verifiable evidence to submit it to the appropriate authorities.
The coalition also challenged the ruling APC in Imo State to publicly reaffirm its commitment to INEC’s independence, neutrality and institutional autonomy.
It argued that the credibility of the 2027 elections must not be compromised by partisan interests.
In its concluding submission, the coalition told the INEC Chairman that public confidence in the electoral process could not be sustained through official assurances alone but must be demonstrated through transparency, accountability, impartial administration and compliance with the Electoral Act.
The petition was jointly signed by Chief MacDonald Amadi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Barrister Chuks Agbugba of the Labour Party (LP); Ambassador Steve Nnadi of the Action Peoples Party (APP); Comrade Lancelot Obiaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Hon. Benneth Obiakor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Comrade Uchechukwu Ayozie of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); and other participating publicity secretaries of opposition political parties in Imo State.
The coalition’s central demand is that all the allegations be independently investigated and that anyone found to have attempted to undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections in Imo State be held accountable under the law.
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