says Aziegbemi’s call for REC redeployment is a cover-up for PDP’s looming loss
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, has dismissed recent calls by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuaha, describing the request as an attempt to pre-empt defeat in the upcoming bye-elections.
Tenebe was reacting to a statement credited to Dr Tony Aziegbemi, Caretaker Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, who demanded the immediate removal of Dr Onuaha and other electoral officials assigned to strategic local government areas ahead of the 16 August bye-elections.
In a press statement issued in Benin City, Tenebe said Aziegbemi’s remarks were a desperate ploy by the PDP to deflect attention from its dwindling popularity and looming electoral defeat.
“The PDP is simply not prepared for the bye-elections. Aziegbemi and his weary political urchins are terrified by the unprecedented achievements of Governor Monday Okpebholo in just eight months,” Tenebe stated.
He added that the mass defection of politicians from the PDP to the APC is evidence of the public’s loss of confidence in the opposition party. “We have torn the umbrella to shreds. Edo people have made up their minds to vote massively for the APC — not just in the bye-elections, but in 2027 as well.”
According to the APC chairman, Governor Okpebholo’s leadership has ushered in significant improvements in infrastructure, education, health and security across the state. “Long-abandoned roads, schools and hospitals are receiving attention, and the security architecture has been re-engineered to deliver better results. The administration has also embarked on a massive recruitment of teachers to revitalise public education,” he noted.
Tenebe expressed confidence that the APC will win both the Edo Central Senatorial bye-election and the Ovia Federal Constituency poll, where the party is fielding Hon Joe Ikpea and Hon Omosede Igbinedion respectively.
“Come August 16, Edo people will troop out en masse to vote for the APC. We are determined to show our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the 2.5 million votes promised by Edo people are very much within reach,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed 16 August 2025 for the conduct of bye-elections in several constituencies across the country, including two in Edo State.
