The Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the September 21 (tomorrow) governorship election in the state, Anugbum Onuoha, has called on political parties in the state, to come forward with incriminating evidence against his competence.
Onuoha is a cousin to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Onuoha said he is competent enough to conduct a free and fair election in Edo State, urging political parties to disregard allegations of likely favouritism peddled against him.
According to report Edo PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi 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, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission would not redeploy the Edo REC.
He tasked the PDP to focus on the election process rather than on Onuoha, assuring the public that the election would be conducted transparently.
According to Onuaha, 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.
“Am I not a Nigerian? Nigerians should have gone beyond this level,” he said.
