Coalition Urges INEC to Transfer Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner Over Alleged Bias

A civic advocacy group, the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, has called for the immediate transfer of Dr Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State.

The group’s demand comes amid concerns that Onuoha’s alleged political affiliations with Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, could jeopardise the integrity of upcoming elections in Edo State.

This call for action was made in a strongly-worded petition addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Country Director, Mr John Mayaki, and made available to *Daily Post*, the coalition expressed alarm over Onuoha’s continued role as REC in Edo State.

According to the group, Onuoha’s close relationship with Wike, and his alleged involvement in partisan activities, raises questions about his ability to oversee a fair and transparent electoral process in the state.

At the core of the coalition’s petition is the relationship between Dr Onuoha and Governor Nyesom Wike. In a recent interview with Channels Television, Wike himself acknowledged that Onuoha is his first cousin, a detail that has heightened concerns about potential bias.

According to the statement, Wike reportedly said, “He (Onuoha) was posted to Edo more than one year ago.

For accusing my first cousin, they have made a mistake. You know why? I was thinking I am strong; you are meeting a rock (Onuoha).”

This admission by Wike has raised alarm bells among stakeholders in Edo State, as it suggests that Onuoha may not be acting in a neutral capacity.

The coalition argues that Onuoha’s political loyalty to Wike, coupled with his active participation in political rallies, compromises his position as REC.

This perceived conflict of interest, the group argues, threatens the integrity of the democratic process in Edo State.

The coalition’s statement goes further to accuse Dr Onuoha of using his position to advance the political interests of Governor Wike and his allies.

According to the group, Onuoha’s alleged involvement in political activities alongside Wike demonstrates a clear bias that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

“This blatant conflict of interest threatens to undermine the foundation of our democracy and imperil the trust of the people in the electoral process,” the statement read.

The group added that allowing individuals with such clear political affiliations to preside over elections could lead to widespread disillusionment among voters and erode public confidence in INEC as an independent body.

The coalition emphasised that the integrity of INEC is fundamental to the success of Nigeria’s democratic system.

Any compromise in the electoral process, it warned, could have far-reaching consequences, including the erosion of public trust in the democratic process and the potential for social unrest.

“When compromised individuals preside over the electoral process, the consequences are catastrophic.

A loss of trust in the democratic process will unleash chaos, and the rule of law will give way to anarchy,” the statement noted.

The coalition stressed that INEC must act decisively to maintain public trust and protect the credibility of the electoral process.

The group described Onuoha’s continued presence as REC in Edo State as a “ticking time bomb” and urged INEC to take swift action to transfer him to another role within the Commission.

It argued that appointing a neutral and unbiased individual as REC is essential to ensure that the forthcoming elections in Edo State are free, fair, and credible.

The coalition’s petition to INEC is not simply a request, but a call to action to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy. “This is not merely a request; it is an imperative to safeguard our democracy,” the group asserted.

The petition also highlighted the significance of the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, noting that the eyes of the nation and the international community are closely watching the process.

Failure to act, the coalition warned, could lead to a crisis of confidence in the democratic process, with devastating consequences for both Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.

The statement concluded with a plea for INEC to demonstrate courage and integrity in its decision-making to prevent the election from descending into chaos.

The petition from the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa underscores the importance of electoral integrity in Nigeria’s democratic system.

As Edo State prepares for its governorship election, the calls for Dr Onuoha’s transfer highlight the broader concerns about the potential for political interference in the process.

The group’s warnings about the consequences of failing to address these concerns should not be taken lightly.

For INEC, this petition presents an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections.

By taking action to address the concerns raised, INEC can ensure that the election in Edo State serves as a positive example of democratic governance in Nigeria.

As the coalition rightly noted, the credibility of the electoral process is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative to maintain public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.