The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to urgently redeploy Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), before the September 21 governorship election.
In a statement issued by the Coalition’s Country Director, Mr. John Mayaki, the group accused Dr. Onuoha of partisanship and claimed he has ties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its former Governor Nyesom Wike. Mayaki argued that Dr. Onuoha’s background as a PDP member and former adviser to Wike raises concerns about potential bias in the upcoming election.
“Dr. Onuoha’s affiliations with the PDP and his past roles have raised serious questions about his impartiality,” Mayaki stated. “To prevent an electoral crisis and restore confidence in the process, Prof. Yakubu must act on the widespread calls from Edo State’s residents, political parties, and civil society for Dr. Onuoha’s removal.”
The Coalition emphasized that the credibility of an election is closely linked to the electorate’s trust in the process. They reiterated that Dr. Onuoha’s past political involvement undermines his suitability for overseeing the governorship election.
The group urged INEC Chairman Yakubu to act swiftly to ensure a fair and credible election in Edo State.
