Group Calls For Removal Of Edo REC For Election Credibility

The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa (GGEJA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately redeploy the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anuhbum Onuoha, ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

In a statement issued in Benin, the group’s Country Director, Mr John Mayaki, accused Dr. Onuoha of partisanship and affiliation with an interested party in the election. Mayaki alleged that Dr. Onuoha is a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State and loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The group expressed concerns that Dr. Onuoha’s alleged partisanship could compromise the credibility of the election, and therefore, demanded his immediate redeployment.

According to Mayaki, “Dr. Anugbum Onuoha serves as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State. He hails from Rivers State and has previously served as the Special Adviser on Lands and Survey to the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and was an active card-carrying member of the PDP.

“These affiliations and backgrounds have raised concerns about his possible biases and conflicts of interest in the September 21st governorship election in Edo State.”

“Professor Yakubu should forestall an impending electoral crisis in Edo State by heeding the insistent outcry, petitions, and protests by the people of Edo State, political parties, and civil society organisations calling for the removal of Dr Anugbum Onuoha, who is seen as partisan and owing allegiance to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.”

“The people of Edo State cannot and will not accept any electoral process with Dr. Anugbum Onuoha as REC, given his past records and political affiliations. His redeployment out of Edo State is the only way to restore confidence in the electoral process, guarantee a credible election, and avert a crisis in the state.”

The Coalition said that the integrity of an election relied on the confidence of the electorate in the electoral process.

“Dr. Anugbum Onuoha has lost the rectitude required of a Resident Electoral Commissioner and should not be part of the conduct of the September 21st, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.”

“Therefore, the Coalition restates its demand that the INEC Chairman immediately redeploy Dr Anugbum Onuoha out of Edo State to restore the confidence of the people and the integrity of the electoral process.” The group reiterated