The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made it clear that it will not listen to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) call to remove Anugbum Onuoha from his role. Onuoha is the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).
MANY people are talking about Onuoha because he knows the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Mr. Wike used to be friends, but now they don’t get along well. Wike had helped Obaseki win his second term after Obaseki joined the PDP.
The governor and leaders of the PDP believe that Onuoha might help the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election because Onuoha is close to Wike.
The PDP chairman in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemhin, sent an official letter to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. In this letter, Aziegbemhin asked for Onuoha to be moved to a different position right away.
The letter said, “The connection between Onuoha and Mr. Wike is too strong to be ignored. They are not just familiar; they are also close friends and family.
“Onuoha is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Wike. He worked for Mr. Wike as a Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey, and Housing when Wike was the governor of Rivers State.”
Responding to this, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, firmly stated that Onuoha will not be moved to a different position. He told the PDP to focus on preparing for the election instead of worrying about Onuoha.
“The REC for Edo State will not be moved. The governorship election will happen on September 21, 2024 in 4,519 voting places, not in the REC’s office.
“Also, the results from each polling unit will be announced by the Presiding Officers of those units. This will happen after voting, sorting, and counting of ballots, and it will be done in front of accredited party agents and other important people.”