FAVOUR PERCY-IDUBOR
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the recruitment of 33 Supervising Presiding Officers (SPOs) with fake identity cards for the forthcoming election.
The Chairman of the PDP, Aziegbemi made the claims during a press conference at the party’s Secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
Aziegbemi said, “We have it on good authority that in the recruitment process for the SPOs, non-commission staff members with fake Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) identity cards were given special consideration above actual INEC and MDA staff members.
“The recruitment of these persons with fake ID cards is alleged to have been sponsored by a Governor from one of the States in the South-East to disrupt the electoral process and swap election results, thereby undermining the credibility of the polls.
‘’The selected leaders of the sponsored impersonators with their cohorts are mainly in classes one to four and also infiltrated other classes of the INEC training sessions.
“We hereby demand that these persons identified should be removed from the exercise and that only those lawfully prescribed to participate are allowed to play this sensitive role in the election, as stipulated by law”.
Edo PDP also expressed deep concern over close links between the serving Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha and the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
“It is with a deep sense of concern that we write to bring to the notice of your good office a very disturbing trend that may threaten the credibility of the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
‘’We believe that, as the umpire in the election, it is in the best interest of INEC to be made aware of unfolding issues and the need to act swiftly to restore the confidence of all parties and different stakeholders participating in the forthcoming election.
‘’The ties between these two are too close to ignore as not only do they share familial ties but are also close associates. To be clear, the relationship between the two is outlined below:
‘’The said Edo REC is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Wike. The said Edo REC also served as a former Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey and Housing to the Minister of FCT, Mr Wike during his tenure as Rivers State Governor.
‘’With the antecedent between these two, we are not comfortable that the Edo REC will conduct himself creditably before, during and after the election.
“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 because of his close relationship with Mr Wike.
‘’Also, we would like to reiterate the need for the redeployment of the Edo REC because of the manifest conflict of interest and the fact that we are not confident that he would deal fairly with all parties because of his close relations with a known partisan opponent of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP.
‘’While appreciating your kind consideration and prompt action on this matter, kindly accept the assurances of our great party” the PDP said.
