The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected demands from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, Mr. Anugbum Onuoha. The PDP had called for his redeployment due to his connection with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The controversy stems from concerns raised by the PDP and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who argue that Onuoha’s relationship with Wike could compromise the neutrality of the upcoming governorship election on September 21, 2024. Obaseki and Wike have had a strained relationship despite Wike supporting Obaseki’s successful second-term bid when he defected to the PDP.
The PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemhin, submitted a formal letter of protest to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, demanding that Onuoha be removed from his post. The letter emphasized that Onuoha is Wike’s cousin and previously served as Commissioner and Special Adviser to Wike during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State.
In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, dismissed the calls for Onuoha’s redeployment. He urged the PDP to focus on the election process rather than the REC’s personal associations.
“The REC for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will be conducted on September 21, 2024, in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office,” Oyekanmi stated. He added that election results would be declared by the Presiding Officers at each polling unit in the presence of party agents and other stakeholders.
Despite the PDP’s concerns, INEC insists that the election will be conducted fairly and transparently, and it has no plans to remove the Edo REC.
