In a recent development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly decided not to remove Anugbum Onuoha from his position as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State. This decision has sparked controversy, particularly following the revelation of Onuoha’s familial connection to Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.

The issue gained traction when it was disclosed that Onuoha is a cousin of Nyesom Wike. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) quickly reacted, raising concerns about potential biases in the upcoming Edo State governorship election. They argue that Onuoha’s connection to Wike, who was also his former boss during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor, could affect his impartiality.

On Thursday, the Edo State PDP chairman, Anthony Aziegbemhin, formally protested to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu. In his letter, Aziegbemhin called for Onuoha’s immediate redeployment, emphasizing the close relationship between Onuoha and Wike and questioning the fairness of the electoral process.

Despite these concerns, INEC has decided to keep Onuoha in his current role. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, responded to the PDP’s requests by stressing that the focus should be on the electoral process rather than individual personnel. Oyekanmi emphasized that the governorship election, scheduled for September 21, 2024, will be conducted in 4,519 polling units across the state.

He reassured the public that results would be transparently declared by Presiding Officers at each polling unit and would be visible through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. This system aims to enhance transparency by allowing the public to view the results in real-time, although electronic voting and result transmission are not yet recognized by Nigerian law.

The situation is further complicated by the political climate surrounding the election. Governor Godwin Obaseki and his party have declined to sign a peace accord, fueling further tensions. Both Obaseki and the PDP have made strong statements, with the governor describing the election as a “do or die” affair, and PDP members pledging to defend their votes by any means necessary.

As the election date approaches, the controversy surrounding Onuoha’s role continues to be a point of contention, highlighting the challenges faced in maintaining impartiality and trust in the electoral process.