The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate removal of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuaha, ahead of the scheduled National Assembly bye-elections.
The party made the demand during a press conference held on Tuesday in Benin City, where the Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, accused the REC of partisanship and compromising the integrity of the previous governorship election.
According to Aziegbemi, Onuaha’s alleged conduct during the 2024 gubernatorial polls eroded public trust and posed a threat to the credibility of the upcoming bye-elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier announced August 16 as the date for bye-elections in Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, to fill the seats left vacant by Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
“The continued presence of Dr. Onuaha in Edo is a direct threat to the credibility and fairness of the forthcoming elections,” Aziegbemi said. “His role in the last election undermined the integrity of the process and he should be redeployed without delay.”
The PDP also urged INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to urgently address the party’s concerns by removing the REC and replacing certain Electoral Officers (EOs) who participated in the last governorship election.
“We demand that the EOs who served in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Etsako West, Etsako East, and Akoko Edo Local Government Areas should not be allowed to take part in the bye-elections. Their involvement in previous irregularities makes them unfit for this exercise,” Aziegbemi added.
The party reiterated its commitment to free, fair, and transparent elections, stressing its “One Man, One Vote” philosophy. It also called on security agencies to ensure a peaceful environment where voters can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation.
Addressing the issue of recent defections from the PDP, Aziegbemi expressed goodwill toward the defectors but maintained that the party remains strong and deeply rooted at the grassroots.
“Politics, like nature, operates under certain principles. We believe that balance and justice will prevail in due course,” he said.
On the party’s readiness for the bye-elections, Aziegbemi expressed confidence in PDP’s chances, noting that internal processes, including screening and primaries, were conducted transparently and in line with the party’s constitution.
He announced that Prince Joe Okojie would represent the PDP in the Edo Central Senatorial race, while Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi would fly the party’s flag in the Ovia Federal Constituency.
“The process of selecting our candidates was inclusive and accepted by the majority of our members across the affected constituencies,” Aziegbemi said.
The PDP urged voters to remain vigilant and actively participate in the bye-elections, assuring them of its continued commitment to protecting democracy in Edo State and across Nigeria.
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