The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha has insisted that his closeness to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike does not matter, as he is competent to handle Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Onuoha stated this while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday.
He urged political parties to disregard allegations of likely favouritism peddled against him.
Onuoha stated this following allegation by the chairman of Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Tony Aziegbemi asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy Onuoha over links with Wike.
Aziegbemi also 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.
Onuoha insisted that his closeness to Wike does not count, as he is 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 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,” he said.
Onuoha also challenged political parties in the state, to come forward with incriminating evidence against his competence.
“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.
