The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concerns about the involvement of three Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff members in alleged efforts to compromise the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election.
These individuals are Mr. Woyengiemi Frank Ogbise, Head of Operations in Edo State; Mr. Lawrence Akan, Head of ICT in Edo; and Blessing Suleiman, the Electoral Officer of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
APC in a statement jointly signed by Jarrett Tenebe, the state chairman and Lawrence Okdi, state secretary on Wednesday claims Ogbise “has been recruiting staff from outside Edo State to work for the interest of the PDP” and allegedly housed them in Eterno Hotel, owned by the PDP campaign director, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyemkewen.
The party further states, “It is noted that Mr. Ogbise relocated his family to Canada and is planning to leave the country after the election.”
The APC also alleges that Mr. Akan, Head of ICT, “was seen giving out money to his immediate staff, stating that the money came from PDP.” He was also reportedly spotted at the same hotel with other INEC staff members.
In addition, APC accused Blessing Suleiman of giving Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to the Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government, a PDP member, which they claim deprived registered voters of their cards.
The APC urged INEC to address the issue, stating, “Our party has lost confidence in the ability of these staff to conduct a free and fair election.”
The statement reads, “As a political party, whose interest is for a credible, free and fair election, our attention has been drawn to a sad development leading to the Governorship election in Edo State.
“Our concerns and reservations are directed at three (3) Staff of your Commission: 1. THE HOD OPERATION EDO STATE: MR. INOYENGIENI FRANK OGBISE:
“The above officer has been recruiting some staff of your commission from outside Edo State to work for the interest of the P.D.P. in the September 21 2024 Governorship election in Edo State. It is further noted that the said HOD Operation has been involved in the planting of some INEC staff from your headquarters in a Hotel belonging to the Director General of the P.D.P. Campaign organization. We urge you to ensure that all the INEC staffs who are currently accommodated in ETERNO HOTEL belonging to the Director General of the P.D.P. Campaign Organization, one HON. MATTHEW IDUORIYEMKEWEN are relocated to ensure that the election is conducted properly.
“It is noted that the said MR. INOYENGIENI OGBISE and a Deputy Director ICT of your Commission in Edo State were sited at the Edo State Government House on the 17th of September, 2024. We also have it on good authority that shortly before this period, the said HOD Operation, relocated his family to Canada, as he is planning to travel out of the country immediately after the election.
“2. THE HEAD OF ICT EDO STATE: MR. LAWRENCE AKAN: We have on good authority that the head of ICT of your Commission in Edo is acting to Compromise the election in Edo State. It is noted that the Head of ICT, was seen giving out money to his immediate staff to share, stating that the money came from P.D.P. It is also noted that he took some staff of your Commission to ETERNO HOTEL, which is owned by MR. MATTHEW IDUORIYEMKEWEN, who is the Director General of the P.D.P. organization.
“3. THE ELECTORAL OFFICER (EO) OF AKOKO EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE: BLESSING SULEIMAN. It is noted that the Electoral Officer, BLESSING SULEIMAN was sited at the Government House. She was also seen with the unit Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, who is a member of P.D.P. It is further noted that she gave PVC belonging to registered voters to the Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, thereby, depriving the registered voters of the opportunity to collect their Voters Card.
“Flowing from the above, we urge you to use your good office to intervene, as our party has lost confidence in the ability of these staff to conduct a free and fair election in Edo State on behalf of your Commission.”
@ Sahara Reporters
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