The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo (REC) and cousin of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Anugbum Onuoha, has called on political parties in Edo State to provide any incriminating evidence against him as the state prepares for its governorship election on Saturday.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily programme on Friday, Onuoha asserted his competence to oversee a free and fair election, urging parties to dismiss allegations of favouritism levelled at him because of his family ties to Wike.
The call follows a petition by Tony Aziegbemi, chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy Onuoha due to perceived bias. Aziegbemi expressed doubts about Onuoha’s ability to ensure a fair electoral process.
Responding to these concerns, INEC Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission would not redeploy Onuoha and encouraged the PDP to concentrate on the election itself rather than focusing on the REC.
He assured that there are measures in place to guarantee a transparent electoral process.
Onuoha said his relationship with Wike should not overshadow his qualifications and commitment to delivering a credible election.
He said, “It is a fact that I am the cousin of the minister. Before my appointment, I was invited by the Senate. I was examined and confirmed. I was sworn in by Professor Mahmoud Yakubu and posted to Edo.
“Since last year, no one has complained that I am the minister’s cousin. Of course I am the minister’s cousin. What we should be talking about right now is the ability to carry out elections.
“By my background, I am an associate professor of law. People should ask me if I have done any work before. Yes, I was an electoral commissioner in Rivers State. Nobody has complained. I come from the university. I am not a politician. The mere fact that I am Wike’s cousin does not prevent me from being appointed.
“I am not Nigerian? Nigerians should have moved beyond this level.”
Onuoha urged political parties to present evidence they had against him that could have justified their attacks.
He added: “I challenge all political parties in Edo State to tell me what I have done wrong so far.
“I am ready for the Edo elections and I will not favour any political party. In the end, the people of Edo will have a compassion-free election.
“The campaign of the political parties ended yesterday at midnight. We only have one activity left, which is the election tomorrow. INEC is prepared for this election. We distributed sensitive materials yesterday. And before doing so, we invited all stakeholders, and 18 political parties and their agents were on the ground to inspect the sensitive materials before their dispatch to their respective local governments.
“We asked them if they had any reservations and they told us they were satisfied with everything they saw.”
