Politics

See Reasons INEC Refuses PDP’s Request to Remove Edo REC Anugbum Onuoha

Published by Tope Fakinlede on September 16th, 2024.

See Reasons INEC Refuses PDP’s Request to Remove Edo REC Anugbum Onuoha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) demand to remove Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State.

This decision comes amid controversy over Onuoha’s connections with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has expressed concerns that Onuoha might be biased in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially since Wike supported Obaseki’s rival during the latter’s second-term campaign.

The PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemhin, formally requested INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to redeploy Onuoha, citing their close ties and Onuoha’s previous role as Wike’s Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Housing.

In response, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, firmly stated that Onuoha will remain in his position. Oyekanmi emphasized that the focus should be on the election process itself, scheduled for September 21, 2024, across 4,519 polling units. He assured that results would be declared by Presiding Officers at each polling station, with party agents and other stakeholders present.