INEC to PDP: Wike’s Cousin Won’t Be Removed as Edo REC Since Elections Aren’t Held in His Office

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) request to remove the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

The PDP made the request as the state gears up for its September 21 governorship election.

Anugbum Onuoha, the Edo REC, has sparked controversy due to his family ties with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo and Wike, once allies after Wike supported Obaseki’s re-election following his defection to the PDP, have since had a falling-out.

In light of this, Obaseki and the PDP have raised concerns that Onuoha could sway the election in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party Wike now supports as a minister.

Last Thursday, Edo PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi submitted a protest letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, calling for Onuoha’s immediate redeployment.

The PDP’s concerns grew after Wike admitted on a Friday interview with Channels Television’s “Politics Today” that Onuoha is his cousin.

In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, confirmed that the REC would not be reassigned.

Oyekanmi urged the PDP to focus on the election process itself rather than on Onuoha.

“The REC for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will be held on September 21, 2024, in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office,” Oyekanmi said.

He added that polling unit results would be announced by the Presiding Officers after voting, sorting, and counting, in the presence of accredited party agents and observers.

“Each Presiding Officer will take a picture of the polling unit result with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload it to the INEC Result Viewing portal. This process is distinct from electronic voting or electronic transmission and collation of results,” he concluded.