Edo: INEC Rejects Calls To Remove Wike’s Man As REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will not remove Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, despite requests from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of his blood relationship to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Onuoha’s relationship with Wike has sparked debate, especially since Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Wike have had a strained relationship. The tension increased after Wike supported Obaseki’s bid for a second term when he joined the PDP.

Both Obaseki and the PDP leadership are concerned that Onuoha might influence the election in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In response, Anthony Aziegbemi, the PDP Chairman in Edo State, sent a formal letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, demanding Onuoha’s immediate redeployment.

The letter noted, “The ties between these two are too close to ignore as they share familiarities and are also close associates. 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.”

In reply, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, stated firmly that Onuoha would not be redeployed. He urged the PDP to concentrate on the election process itself rather than focusing on Onuoha.

Oyekanmi added, “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. Polling unit results will be declared by the respective Presiding Officers after the voting, ballot sorting, and counting processes, in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders.”

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