Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the PDP chairman in Edo State, has expressed concern about the appointment of associates of former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Edo Commissioner of Police ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
Aziegbemii cited the well-known conflict between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the FCT Minister.
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He warned that the close ties between these officials and Wike could jeopardize the election, as they are likely to act in his interest.
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Aziegbemi also noted that this connection suggests the election might already be compromised before it even begins.
In a statement, Aziegbemi said: “We are worried that the election may have been compromised even before it starts. This is because we are certain that the officials responsible for conducting a free, fair and credible election are close associates of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“The INEC REC in Edo is Wike’s cousin and served as a Special Adviser on Lands to him in Rivers State. Everyone in Nigeria knows the antecedents of Wike and his conduct during elections in Rivers State. So we will not close our eyes and watch him deploy the same tactic in Edo State.
“The current Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, is also a close associate of Wike. We believe he would not act in the best interest of Edo people nor even in the spirit and letters of the electoral act.
“So, it is no wonder that the Police have been acting arbitrarily in the run up to the election. They have been after members and leaders of the PDP in the last few weeks, as a rogue team has been hounding, arresting and whisking PDP leaders away to Abuja in a gestapo style. So, for us, the precedent has been set and we will not sit and watch these men cause chaos in the State in pursuit of personal vendetta.”
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