The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a formal request from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, Daily Post reported.
The call for Onuoha’s removal stemmed from concerns about his alleged close ties with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
Onuoha’s appointment has sparked controversy due to the strained relationship between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and Wike, a former ally who supported Obaseki’s re-election bid in 2020 after his defection to the PDP.
The fallout between the two has fueled fears within the PDP that Onuoha’s role as REC could sway the upcoming election in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Anthony Aziegbemhin, the PDP chairman in Edo State, raised these concerns in a formal protest letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, urging for Onuoha’s immediate redeployment.
In the letter, Aziegbemhin emphasized Onuoha’s past ties to Wike, having served as Commissioner and Special Adviser during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor.
“The ties between these two are too close to ignore,” the letter read.
In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, categorically dismissed the PDP’s request, confirming that Onuoha would remain in his position. Oyekanmi urged the PDP to focus on the election process rather than fixating on Onuoha.
“The REC for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will be conducted in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office,” he said.
He also assured the public that election results would be transparently declared by the presiding officers in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders.
