As the Edo State governorship election approaches, political tension is rising, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leveling serious accusations against three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The APC has alleged a plot to compromise the election in favor of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In a letter addressed to the INEC Chairman, the APC expressed concerns over the conduct of these officials and demanded immediate intervention to ensure a fair and transparent election.

The officials named in the APC’s letter are:

Inoyengieni Frank Ogbise, the Head of Operations, INEC Edo State

Lawrence Akan, the Head of ICT, INEC Edo State

Blessing Suleiman, the Electoral Officer for Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA)

The APC has raised multiple allegations against Inoyengieni Frank Ogbise, claiming he is deeply involved in actions meant to favor the PDP. According to the APC, Mr. Ogbise has been recruiting non-Edo INEC staff to work during the election. The party argues that these staff members are being brought in specifically to assist the PDP during the governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

Additionally, the APC has alleged that Mr. Ogbise has accommodated INEC staff in a hotel belonging to Hon. Matthew Iduoriyemkewen, the Director General of the PDP’s campaign organization. The hotel, Eterno Hotel, has become a focal point of the APC’s concerns, as they believe it is being used as a base to coordinate activities aimed at manipulating the election.

Further suspicions were raised when Mr. Ogbise was reportedly seen at the Edo State Government House on September 17, 2024. The APC claims that this visit, combined with his recent decision to relocate his family to Canada, is evidence of his intention to flee the country after facilitating an election compromise.

The second official named in the APC’s letter is Lawrence Akan, the Head of ICT for INEC in Edo State. The APC claims that Mr. Akan has been distributing money to his immediate staff, with instructions that the funds were from the PDP. This alleged action, according to the APC, is part of a larger plan to influence the outcome of the election.

Similar to Mr. Ogbise, Mr. Akan has been accused of bringing some INEC staff to Eterno Hotel, the property owned by the Director General of the PDP campaign. This has fueled further suspicion that both Mr. Akan and Mr. Ogbise are working in tandem to compromise the election process.

The third official named in the APC’s letter is Blessing Suleiman, the Electoral Officer (EO) for Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. According to the APC, Ms. Suleiman has been involved in activities designed to deprive registered voters of their rights. Specifically, the party alleges that she gave voter cards (PVCs) to the PDP’s unit chairman in Akoko-Edo LGA. By doing so, registered voters who were entitled to these Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been denied the opportunity to collect them.

In addition to this, Ms. Suleiman was allegedly spotted at the Edo State Government House, where she was seen meeting with members of the PDP. These actions, according to the APC, demonstrate her active involvement in attempts to manipulate the election results in favor of the PDP.

In light of these serious allegations, the APC has urged INEC to take immediate action to prevent any attempts to compromise the election. The party emphasized that it has lost confidence in the ability of these three officials to conduct a free and fair election. The APC’s letter requests that INEC relocate the compromised officials and replace them with staff who can guarantee impartiality in the election process.

The party’s letter concludes by urging INEC to ensure that the election is conducted properly and fairly, without bias or undue influence from political actors. The APC stated that its concerns, if not addressed, could result in a loss of public trust in the electoral process and potentially lead to post-election disputes.

These allegations have added significant tension to an already closely watched election in Edo State. The APC’s accusations, if proven true, could have major consequences for the credibility of the election. Political analysts suggest that the involvement of INEC officials in election rigging could undermine the trust that voters place in the electoral process, leading to heightened political unrest.

The INEC Chairman’s response to these allegations will be critical. Any decision to relocate or replace the accused officials could help restore public confidence in the election. Conversely, a lack of action could intensify political tensions and cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the election results.

As the Edo State governorship election approaches, the APC’s accusations have drawn attention to the integrity of INEC’s role in the electoral process. The next steps taken by INEC, whether in terms of investigation or corrective measures, will play a crucial role in determining whether the election is seen as free, fair, and credible by the people of Edo State.

For now, the people of Edo await both the election and the actions of INEC in response to these serious allegations.