The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) request to reassign Edo State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha.
With the Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21, the PDP raised concerns due to Onuoha’s familial connection to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The party fears that Onuoha might favor the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, given Wike’s current position in the APC government.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- School Proprietress Allegedly Killed, Burnt By Son In Delta
- Man Detained for Allegedly Killing Mother, Mutilating Son in Abia
- Fubara Regains Freedom After 11 Days in Captivity
The PDP’s formal protest, submitted by Edo State PDP Chairman Anthony Aziegbemhin to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, called for Onuoha’s redeployment. The party argued that Onuoha’s past roles as a Commissioner and Special Adviser to Wike in Rivers State made him too closely connected to Wike to remain impartial.
In response, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, clarified that the REC would not be redeployed. He emphasized that the election would take place across 4,519 polling units, ensuring that no single individual, including the REC, could influence the outcome.
FURTHER READING
- Poverty, Hardship: Nigerians Turn To Organ Selling Amid Crisis
- Petrol Price Hike Pushing Nigerians To Breaking Point – NLC, Atiku
- No Mass Resignation Of Soldiers Due To Corruption, Low Morale -Nigerian Army
Oyekanmi also assured that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be used to enhance transparency, with results uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing portal.
Wike acknowledged his familial ties to Onuoha but maintained that the REC would perform his duties professionally, without any bias.
As tensions mount, Governor Obaseki and the PDP have refused to sign a peace accord, with the party warning of potential unrest if their concerns are not addressed.
Click here to watch our video of the week:
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611