The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, has raised the alarm over the involvement of individuals with connections to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the state’s governorship election.
The party pointed out a significant conflict between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Wike, and expressed concerns that the presence of officials linked to Wike could jeopardize the electoral process.
These were contained in a protest letter to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Mahmood Yakubu by the Edo state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.
According to Aziegbemi, these officials have close ties to Wike and may act in his interest rather than ensure a fair election.
Aziegbemi, in the letter, highlighted that Anugbum Onuoha, the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), previously served as Wike’s Special Adviser on Lands during his tenure as Rivers State Governor.
He also noted that Edo’s current Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, who was appointed to the state less than a month ago, is closely associated with Wike.
Aziegbemi also drew the attention of INEC Chairman to the alleged recruitment of the Supervising Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the election which, he said, may have been compromised.
Aziegbemi said, “We are worried that the election may have been compromised even before it starts. This is because we are certain that some of the officials responsible for conducting a free, fair, and credible election are close associates of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“The INEC REC in Edo is Wike’s cousin and served as a Special Adviser on Lands to him in Rivers State. Everyone in Nigeria knows the antecedents of Wike and his conduct during elections in Rivers State. So we will not close our eyes and watch him deploy the same tactic in Edo State.
“The current Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, is also a close associate of Wike. We believe he would not act in the best interest of Edo people nor even in the spirit and letters of the Electoral Act.”
He further said, “Besides, we will also like to bring to your notice that the recruitment of the Supervising Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the forthcoming election may have been compromised.
“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 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 1 to 4 and also infiltrated other classes of the INEC training sessions.
Those identified to have been recruited through this means”
Speaking on the way forward, the Edo PDP chairman said, “As things stand today, the Peoples Democratic Party and in fact, the people of Edo State, believe that certain minimum steps must be immediately taken to create an atmosphere of fairness and balance, and a level playing field as a non-negotiable requirement for the enthronement of peace and security in the run-up to the election:
The immediate redeployment of the current Edo State Commissioner of Police, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and their replacement with persons who can exhibit fairness and balance in the performance of their functions and who do not have any links to the contending parties or vested interests in the process
“The immediate and unconditional release/production of all persons currently in unlawful custody or all these persons if alleged to have committed any crime should be immediately brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with all civilized constitutional processes.
“The immediate recall of any external Police Team/Squad from Abuja or any other location in Nigeria currently marauding in Edo State, illegally arresting perceived political opponents and creating undue tension in the State.
i”An undertaking and commitment by the Nigeria Police and INEC to operate a level playing field without allowing themselves to become a private army at the behest of one of the contending parties.
“We wish to state that our party and our candidates have the utmost confidence in the goodwill and peace-loving nature of Edo people and we are willing to submit ourselves to their democratic choice under a free, fair and untainted process.
“At present, it is clear that the basis for peace and the conduct of a peaceful election are not in place. Accordingly, once the conditions presented above have been met, we will be ready to immediately make ourselves available to sign the Peace Accord” he declared.
