The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate redeployment of the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
The party is urging the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to take swift action, citing concerns that Dr. Onuoha’s position could lead to a biased and compromised election.
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The PDP, in a statement by its Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, also requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to remove the current Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo. According to the party, the redeployment of these officials would help restore trust in the election process and ensure a peaceful, fair contest.
Damagum criticized the police for disbanding the Edo State Security Corps, a unit set up by the Edo State House of Assembly.
He argued that this move by the police has escalated tensions, threatening the security and safety of Edo residents ahead of the election.
Additionally, the PDP accused Dr. Onuoha of partisanship, claiming that he is sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and cannot be trusted to oversee a credible election.
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The party also demanded the immediate release of 10 PDP members arrested in connection with the election, vowing not to sign any peace accords until their grievances were addressed.
Governor Godwin Obaseki had earlier expressed similar concerns, accusing the police of bias against the PDP and alleging that the party’s leaders were being targeted to weaken their chances in the upcoming election.
This tension culminated in the PDP’s refusal to sign the National Peace Accord, a pact designed to ensure a peaceful, violence-free election.
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While representatives of 17 other political parties signed the accord, the PDP state chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, and the party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, declined to do so.
They stated that the party would not enter into any agreement while its members were being unlawfully detained.
The Chairman of the Peace Accord Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), emphasized the importance of the accord, urging candidates to commit to peaceful campaigns and respect the election’s outcome.
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However, the PDP insisted that it would only participate in the peace accord after its concerns were fully addressed.
In response, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reassured all parties that the police would remain neutral and committed to providing a fair and secure environment for the election.
He called for all stakeholders to maintain peace and trust in the democratic process, assuring voters that their rights would be protected.
Meanwhile, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Convener of the National Peace Committee, encouraged the people of Edo State to come out and vote peacefully.
He urged candidates to seek legal recourse if dissatisfied with the election results, reminding them that the peace committee has mechanisms in place to address election-related disputes.
