My closeness to Wike doesn’t count – Edo REC, Onuoha insists

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Anugbum Onuoha on Friday insisted that his closeness to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike does not count, as he was competent to handle the election.

Onuoha stated this while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday.

He also urged political parties to disregard allegations of likely favouritism peddled against him.

The statement comes amid allegation by that Edo Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman, Tony Aziegbemi asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy Onuoha over ties with Wike.

Aziegbemi also expressed a lack of confidence in the REC’s ability to conduct a free and fair election in the state.

However, Onuoha said his closeness to Wike does not count, as he was competent to handle the election.

“It is a fact that I am a cousin to the minister. Before my appointment, I was invited by the Senate. It screened me, and I was confirmed. I was sworn in by Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, and posted to Edo.

‘Since last year, nobody complained that I am a cousin to the minister. Of course, I am a cousin to the minister. What we should be talking about at this time is the capacity to conduct the election.”