Tony Aziegbemi, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, has voiced serious concerns over the involvement of individuals with close ties to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in the upcoming Edo governorship election. Aziegbemi believes that these connections pose a significant risk to the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
According to Aziegbemi, a long-standing rift between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and Wike may play out in the governorship election, which could be skewed due to the influence of officials linked to the FCT Minister. He warned that the presence of such individuals, who he claims have personal loyalties to Wike, could undermine the credibility of the election.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Aziegbemi specifically pointed to the roles of two key officials—Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, and Nemi Edwin-Iwo, the recently appointed Commissioner of Police in the state. He argued that both men have direct ties to Wike, which could compromise their ability to ensure a free and fair election.
Aziegbemi noted that Onuoha previously served as a Special Adviser on Lands to Wike during his time as Governor of Rivers State. He further alleged that the REC’s familial and professional connections to Wike are well-known, raising suspicions about potential bias in the electoral process.
“We are deeply concerned that the election might be compromised before it even begins,” Aziegbemi stated. “This is because we have seen that the officials in charge of ensuring a credible election are close associates of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. We cannot overlook this, as it calls into question their ability to be impartial.”
The PDP chairman highlighted Onuoha’s previous role as a top aide to Wike, claiming that his appointment as REC could be an attempt to replicate electoral tactics from Rivers State in Edo. “Everyone in Nigeria knows the antecedents of Wike and his conduct during elections in Rivers State. We will not stand idly by and allow him to bring those same tactics to Edo State,” Aziegbemi said.
Aziegbemi also expressed doubts about the impartiality of the newly appointed Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, who he claimed shares a close relationship with Wike. Edwin-Iwo’s recent transfer to Edo, less than a month before the election, has raised red flags within the PDP leadership, with Aziegbemi suggesting that his loyalties might lie with Wike rather than the people of Edo State.
“We fear that the Commissioner of Police will not act in the best interest of the Edo people, nor uphold the principles of fairness enshrined in the Electoral Act,” Aziegbemi continued. “The timing of his appointment and his known association with Wike make it hard for us to believe that the police will remain neutral during this critical election.”
The PDP chairman concluded by calling for heightened vigilance from all stakeholders to ensure that the election is conducted transparently, and without undue influence from external forces. He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the appointment of individuals with known political affiliations or past professional ties to key figures in the election.
