From Moshood Karim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) request to redeploy Edo State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha, amid growing controversy over his appointment.
The PDP’s demand for Onuoha’s removal arises from concerns about his alleged connections with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who was once a supporter of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Wike’s previous support for Obaseki in the 2020 gubernatorial election has since soured, contributing to tensions between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a formal protest letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Anthony Aziegbemhin, the PDP Chairman for Edo State, highlighted Onuoha’s past roles as Commissioner and Special Adviser under Wike’s governorship in Rivers State.
Aziegbemhin argued that Onuoha’s previous affiliations with Wike create a conflict of interest that could potentially bias the upcoming election results in favor of the APC.
Responding to the PDP’s concerns, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, dismissed the call for Onuoha’s redeployment.
Oyekanmi emphasized that Onuoha will continue in his role, asserting that the focus should be on the electoral process rather than the REC’s personal connections.
“The REC for Edo State will not be redeployed,” Oyekanmi stated. “The governorship election will be conducted in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office.”
He further assured that election results would be declared transparently in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders, reinforcing INEC’s commitment to a fair electoral process.
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