The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) demand to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, citing no valid reasons for his removal.
The PDP had alleged that Onuoha’s close relationship with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, could compromise the integrity of the upcoming governorship election. Wike had supported Governor Godwin Obaseki’s second term bid when he defected to the PDP, sparking tensions between Obaseki and Wike.
In a formal protest letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Edo PDP Chairman Anthony Aziegbemhin claimed that Onuoha’s ties to Wike, including serving as a former commissioner and special adviser, posed a conflict of interest.
However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the PDP’s concerns, stating that Onuoha’s redeployment was unnecessary. “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 said.
Oyekanmi emphasized the transparency of the electoral process, noting that polling unit results would be declared by presiding officers after voting, ballot sorting, and counting, in the presence of accredited party agents and stakeholders.
As the Edo governorship election approaches, tensions between political parties continue to rise. INEC’s stance on Onuoha’s redeployment has sparked debate, with stakeholders urging the electoral body to maintain its neutrality and ensure a credible process.