Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof Anugbum Onuoha.
The PDP’s call for Onuoha’s redeployment is due to his alleged ties with Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The INEC REC had previously served as Special Adviser on Lands, Survey and Housing to Wike during his time as governor of Rivers State.
He was briefly suspended from the state’s cabinet in 2016 before being reinstated.
In a letter addressed to INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the PDP chairman in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, expressed lack of confidence in the REC’s ability to conduct a free and fair election in the state.
Aziegbemi also alleged that the recruitment process for supervising presiding officers (SPOs) had been compromised, casting doubts on the election’s integrity.
“It is with a deep sense of concern that we bring to the notice of your good office a very disturbing trend that may threaten the credibility of the forthcoming Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
“We believe that, as the umpire in the election, it is in the best interest of INEC to be made aware of unfolding issues and the need to act swiftly to restore the confidence of all parties.
“The matter pertains to the close links between the serving Edo REC, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, and a known partisan opponent of Edo PDP, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
“The ties between these two are too close to ignore, as not only do they share familiarities but are also close associates. To be clear, the relationship between the two is outlined below.
“The said Edo REC is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Wike. He also served as a former Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey, and Housing to Mr. Wike during his tenure as Rivers governor.
“The antecedent between these two is that we are not comfortable that the Edo REC will conduct himself creditably before, during, and after the election.
“We are therefore requesting the redeployment of the Edo REC, as we are not confident that he would be fair, just, and equitable in the conduct of the election.
“We also call on the INEC chairman to investigate the recruitment of the SPOs, adding that most of them were recruited and given fake ministry identity cards.
“We hereby demand the removal of these impersonators from the SPOs list,” Aziegbemi said.
The party also asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately redeploy the Police Commissioner in the state, Nemo Edwin-Iwo.
Both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP in the state have accused each other of using police to instigate violence during their political campaigns.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the acting national chairman of PDP, Umar Damagum, listed the demands of the party.
“The IGP must recognise his duty to the Nigerian people, the Constitution, and the sustenance of peace and security in Edo State and the entire nation.
“The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, so as to guarantee confidence, peace, and security during the Edo State governorship election.
“The IGP should immediately release all members of the PDP being detained by the police.
“The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities of the Edo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law,” Damaging said.
The PDP in Edo State had earlier boycotted the signing of the peace accord on Thursday.
Political parties and candidates participating in the September 21 governorship election signed the peace accord at the Victor Uwaifo creative hub in Benin city, the Edo State capital, on Thursday.
Monday Okpebholo, APC governorship candidate, and his Labour Party counterpart, Olumide Akpata, signed the peace accord.
Other parties that signed the document include Accord, Accord Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, tSocial Democratic Party, Youth Party, and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) also signed the peace accord.
The chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, was present at the event, but did not sign the document.
The governor had earlier alleged that police personnel, who are expected to enforce the peace accord, are working for APC.
Obaseki claimed that the police have detained 10 PDP members without sufficient evidence or valid cases against them.
