Edo guber 2024: Tension as Wike’s ties with REC, CP unsettles PDP

• The NWC of the PDP in Edo state has demanded the immediate redeployment of the state's REC Dr. Anugbum Onuoha and the Commissioner of Police Lemo Edwin Ivwo
• Tony Aziegbemi, Edo PDP chairman, after an emergency meeting on Thursday, pointed out a significant conflict between Governor Godwin Obaseki and FCT minister Nyesom Wike
• He expressed concerns that the presence of officials linked to Wike could jeopardize the electoral process, as they may act in his interest rather than ensure a fair election in Edo

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy Anugbum Onuoha, the resident electoral commissioner (REC).

Edo PDP demand redeployment of pro-Wike REC, CP linked to Wike. Photo credit: Nyesom Wike, Governor Godwin Obaseki
Source: Facebook

Edo PDP raises alarm over pro-Wike REC, CP

According to reports, PDP’s call for Onuoha’s redeployment is due to his ties with Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

As reported by The Cable, the INEC REC had previously served as Wike's special adviser on lands when he was governor of Rivers.

He was briefly suspended from the state’s cabinet in 2016 before being reinstated.

In a letter addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, Edo PDP chairman, expressed a lack of confidence in the REC’s ability to conduct a free and fair election in the state.

Aziegbemi also alleged that the recruitment process for supervising presiding officers (SPOs) had been compromised, casting doubts on the election’s integrity.

“It is with a deep sense of concern that we bring to the notice of your good office a very disturbing trend that may threaten the credibility of the forthcoming Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.“We are therefore requesting the redeployment of the Edo REC, as we are not confident that he would be fair, just, and equitable in the conduct of the election.“We also call in the INEC chairman to investigate the recruitment of the SPOs, adding that most of them were recruited and given fake ministry identity cards.“We hereby demand the removal of these impersonators from the SPOs list,” the letter partly read.

Vanguard, ThisDay confirmed the development in their publication on Thursday, September 12.

Read more about Edo election here:

• Edo election 2024: PDP levels fresh allegation against APC, Labour Party, "unholy"
• Edo guber: Labour Party celebrates as court gives verdict on Akpata’s candidacy
• Edo guber: Why I fell out with Oshiomhole, Obaseki opens up

APC, PDP pull out of Edo election peace accord

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the All Progressives Congress (APC) pulled out of the Edo state election Peace Accord just hours before the scheduled signing, citing unresolved security concerns.

APC spokesperson, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of shielding suspects in the killing of Police Inspector Onuh Akor, deepening political tensions ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election.

With both APC and PDP expressing mistrust in state security forces, the likelihood of a peaceful election in Edo remains in question.

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Source: Legit.ng