Nigeria: INEC Rejects Call For Removal Of Wike’s Relative As Edo REC Ahead Of 2024 Guber Poll

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

With the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has turned down the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) request for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha.

The PDP had expressed concerns over Onuoha’s ties to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, questioning his impartiality.

The PDP’s call for Onuoha’s removal stems from his previous association with Wike, having served as a commissioner in Wike’s administration during his tenure as governor of Rivers State.

Furthermore, Wike recently confirmed that Onuoha is his cousin, fueling the party’s fears of potential bias in favour of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), where Wike now serves as a minister.

In a formal protest, Edo PDP Chairman Anthony Aziegbemhin called for Onuoha’s redeployment, citing “close ties” between the REC and Wike. However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the concerns, stating that Onuoha would not be removed.

Oyekanmi urged the PDP to focus on the election process, emphasising that the election would be conducted transparently across 4,519 polling units, with results publicly declared at each polling station.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, who previously enjoyed Wike’s support, has since distanced himself from the minister, fueling tensions within the PDP as the election approaches. Obaseki and the national PDP leadership have refused to sign the pre-election peace accord, with Obaseki reportedly describing the election as a “do-or-die” affair.

Similarly, acting PDP Chairman Illiya Damagum has urged party members to defend their votes “with their blood.”

Despite these concerns, INEC remains firm in conducting the election as scheduled, assuring stakeholders of a transparent and fair process.