Ahead of the Saturday governorship election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to focus on the election process instead of unnecessary accusation.
Onuoha gave the urge in response to a call made by the PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, calling for his redeployment.
While expressing his competence to conduct free and fair election, the REC challenged political parties in Edo State to come forward with incriminating evidence against his competence.
He also urged political parties to disregard allegations of likely favouritism peddled against him.
Tony Aziegbemi, Edo PDP Chairman had asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy Onuoha over ties with Wike.
Aziegbemi had expressed a lack of confidence in the REC’s ability to conduct a free and fair election in the state.
However, in response, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC, Rotomi Oyekanmi, said the Commission would not redeploy the Edo REC.
He urged PDP to focus on the election process rather than on Onuoha, assuring the public that the election would be conducted transparently.
Onuaha 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 has 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.
“From my background, I am an Associate Professor of Law. People should now ask if I have done this job before. Yes, I was an electoral commissioner in Rivers State. Nobody has complained. I am coming from the university. I am not a politician. The mere fact that I am a cousin to Wike does not preclude me from being appointed.
“I’m I not a Nigerian? Nigerians should have gone beyond this level.”
Onuoha then urged any of the political parties to come forward with evidence they had against him that could have warranted their attacks.
“I challenge all the political parties in Edo State to tell me what I have done wrong so far.
“I am ready for the Edo election, and I will not favour any political party. At the end of the day, the people of Edo will have an election that is free from pity,” the REC said.
