The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong opposition to the appointment of Mr. Anugbum Onuoha, a cousin of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The PDP highlighted that, aside from their familial relationship, Onuoha had previously served as Special Adviser on Lands during Wike’s tenure as the Governor of Rivers State, raising concerns about impartiality. In addition, the party has rejected the appointment of Edo’s Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, citing his close association with Wike. Edwin-Iwo was redeployed to Edo State a month ago.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the PDP Chairman in Edo State, voiced the party’s alarm over the involvement of Wike’s allies in the electoral process, especially given the existing tension between Governor Godwin Obaseki and the FCT Minister. Aziegbemi stressed that the appointments posed a risk of compromise to the integrity of the election.
“We are worried that the election may have been compromised even before it starts,” Aziegbemi said. “These officials are closely linked to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and their actions during the election could be heavily influenced by their relationship with him.”
The PDP further accused the police of targeting its members in the lead-up to the election, claiming that several party leaders had been arrested and taken to Abuja in what they described as a “Gestapo-style” operation. The party vowed to resist any efforts that could destabilize the election process in the state.
