Edo 2024: PDP links CP, INEC REC to Wike, seeks their redeployment

Edo PDP chairman Tony Aziegbemi

Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun

By Jethro Ibileke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the redeployment of Edo Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha barely nine days to the gubernatorial election in the state.

Edo chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, who made the call Thursday evening, described the duo as allies of the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyeson Wike, adding that their removal will restore the confidence of all parties and different stakeholders in the election.

He alleged that the close links between , CP Edwin-Iwo, Onuoha and Wike would undermine the PDP for the election following the CP’s current disposition towards the party members.

The Edo PDP chair accused the police commissioner for taking side with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and arresting and intimidating members of the PDP who committed no offense.

• Edo 2024: Court fixes date to hear APC’s suit seeking Ighodalo’s disqualification
• Edo 2024: Concerned Obidient Movement endorses PDP’s Ighodalo
• ‘You’re now very inconsequential,’ PDP tackles Kwankwaso over 2027 ambition

“We called on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to redeploy them with a view to conduct credible election come September, 21.

“The REC is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyeson Wike, he also served as a former Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey and Housing during his tenure as governor of Rivers State,” he said.

Aziegbemi also alleged that the recruitment of the Supervising Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the election have been compromised, as non-commission staff members with fake Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) identity cards were given special consideration above actual INEC and MDA staff members.

“The recruitment of these persons with fake ID cards is alleged to have been sponsored by a Governor from one of the States in South-East to disrupt the electoral process and swap election results, thereby undermining the credibility of the polls.

“We are therefore requesting the redeployment of the Edo REC and CP, as we are not confident that they would be fair, just and equitable in the conduct of the election because of his close relationship with Mr. Wike,” he said.