September 16, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly declined the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) demand to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, saying: “The governorship election will take place in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office.”
Earlier, the PDP raised concerns over Onuoha’s close ties with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suggesting a potential bias in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the upcoming Edo governorship election.
Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemi, had in a petition submitted to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, called for Onuoha’s immediate removal. Citing Wike’s dispute with the Edo Governor and the PDP, Aziegbemi expressed fears that Onuoha’s relationship with the former Rivers governor could influence the electoral process.
The letter highlighted that Onuoha had previously served as a Commissioner and Special Adviser to Wike during his tenure as Rivers State governor.
In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, reiterated that the commission would not redeploy the Edo REC. He urged the PDP to focus on the election process rather than on Onuoha, assuring the public that the election would be conducted transparently.
“The REC for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will take place in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office. Polling unit results will be declared by the respective Presiding Officers in the presence of accredited party agents and stakeholders after the voting, sorting, and counting processes”, Oyekanmi clarified.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu has filed a lawsuit against Aziegbemi, in response to allegations that the presidency, through the NSA and the Department of State Services (DSS), plans to manipulate the September 21 governorship election.
Aziegbemi had in a statement, titled: “EDO 2024: PRESIDENCY’S MOVE TO INTERFERE, MANIPULATE GUBER POLL USING DSS, NSA UNCOVERED”, claimed that Ribadu directed the release of $2 million to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate for vote-buying and bribe for security agencies.
Responding in a letter through Charles Musa and Co, his legal representatives, Ribadu condemned the defamatory statement, which has significantly harmed his reputation by falsely depicting him as a facilitator of corruption and his office as involved in political interference in Edo State.
“We write on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (our Client), in response to your press statement titled “EDO 2024: PRESIDENCY’S MOVE TO INTERFERE, MANIPULATE GUBER POLL USING DSS, NSA UNCOVERED.”
“The publication falsely alleges, inter alia, that “$2m was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies”
“This malicious and libellous Statement has brought our Client into public disdain and odium. Your portrayal of our Client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo State is entirely false and damaging to his reputation.
“As a renowned career police officer and pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our Client has consistently demonstrated integrity and a commitment to fighting corruption. It is inconceivable that he would be involved in such odious acts
“Given the extensive damage your false and baseless allegations have caused our client, we demand:
“A written apology to our Client, a full retraction of the publication in its entirety, Publication of the retraction in:
“A full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers, ten reputable and well-read online news sites, seven national and international television stations, ten radio channels with national and international reach.
“Payment of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) as damages for reputational and other injuries. Take notice that if our demands are not met within seven days, we shall proceed with our Client’s further instructions, including taking legal action to enforce his rights.”
