The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, has voiced strong opposition to what he describes as the interference of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in an attempt to undermine Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP in the upcoming Edo state elections.
On Wednesday, the PDP’s Edo State chapter accused Wike of facilitating the appointment of his cousin, Anugbum Onuoha—who previously served as a commissioner during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State—as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the September 21 election.
Onuoha served as Wike’s Special Adviser on Lands while he was governor.
The PDP, represented by its Edo State Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, also condemned the appointment of the Edo Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, whom they claim is a close ally of Wike and was redeployed to the state just a month ago.
Aziegbemi expressed concerns that the integrity of the upcoming election might already be compromised, stating, “We are alarmed that the officials responsible for overseeing a fair and credible election are closely connected to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“The INEC REC in Edo is Wike’s cousin and former Special Adviser on Lands to him in Rivers State. The political history of Wike during elections in Rivers State is well-known throughout Nigeria. We refuse to stand idly by while he employs the same tactics in Edo State.
“Furthermore, the current Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, is also aligned with Wike. We doubt he will act in the best interests of the people of Edo or uphold the integrity of the electoral act.
“It is no wonder, then, that the Police have been behaving arbitrarily in the run-up to the election,” the PDP chairman asserted.
Damagum aligned himself with the PDP and its candidate during a press conference on Thursday, which marked his first public statement amidst rising violence and accusations of marginalization against the PDP. He asserted that the APC has resorted to recruiting violent elements to intimidate voters ahead of the election.
He confidently projected that the PDP candidate, Ighodalo, is poised for a sweeping victory, anticipating nearly 70% of the expected votes, citing widespread support that transcends party affiliations.
Damagum stated that voters have decisively chosen Ighodalo as their next governor due to his proven track record, competency, experience, and commitment to the populace as outlined in his Prosperity for All Manifesto, which reflects the aspirations of the Edo people.
He warned Nigerians that since the APC—along with its uninspiring candidate, Okpebholo—realized their slim chances of victory, they have resorted to violence and manipulation, employing rogue police operatives to harass, arrest, and detain innocent citizens of Edo State, particularly PDP members and supporters.
Credible reports, according to Damagum, indicate that an “APC-controlled torture squad” has been operating with the knowledge of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo. He noted that as of Thursday, “no fewer than 16 of our members and supporters have been arrested on what we consider trumped-up charges” and have been taken to Abuja for detention and mistreatment. He added that “at least 15 others have been marked for arrest based on fabricated claims.”
Damagum charged that the “APC’s sinister intentions aim to instill fear in the people of Edo State, discourage them from voting, and seize the opportunity to manipulate and rig the election—a plot that the people are resolutely resisting.
This situation, he continued, is worsened by the “Inspector General of Police’s attempts to unconstitutionally disband the Edo State Security Corps established by the Edo State House of Assembly.”
Concerns are rising in Edo State that these maneuvers represent a strategy by the IGP to enable APC thugs to freely unleash violence on the populace and facilitate election manipulation in favor of the APC.
“The PDP once again warns the APC and the compromised police operatives that they have pushed the people of Edo State to their breaking point. The response of the populace in light of these unwarranted attacks and assaults is something that can only be imagined.
“The APC is testing the limits of the patience and forbearance of the people of Edo State and should be prepared to face the consequences.”
Damagum further said the APC is “attempting to infiltrate and compromise the INEC by reportedly influencing the appointment of a known APC apologist and supporter, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, who is notorious for his partisan association with APC leaders, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).
“The appointment of this overtly partisan individual as Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner is completely unacceptable as he is susceptible to bias, manipulations by the APC and therefore not in position to guarantee a transparent, free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo State.”
He demanded, “The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo so as to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the Edo State governorship election.
“The IGP should immediately release all members of the PDP being detained by the Police.
“The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities of Edo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu immediately redeploys the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Anugbum Onuoha from the State especially now that people are already agitated against this obnoxious appointment.
“This is not only to guarantee a credible governorship election in Edo State but also to avert the ugly scenario witnessed in the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election where a biassed Resident Electoral Commissioner and other INEC officials nearly lost their lives in the hands of an agitated electorate.”
