The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria and 13 allied organizations om Wednesday expressed serious concerns regarding the integrity of the upcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21.
HURIWA is particularly troubled by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision not to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Mr. Anugbum Onuoha, who is reportedly connected to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, according to the PUNCH.
Despite calls for his removal, INEC has maintained that the election will proceed without changes to the REC’s position.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, emphasized the need for the PDP to concentrate on the electoral process rather than on personnel issues, assuring that the election will be conducted transparently.
In a press briefing, HURIWA and its coalition voiced apprehensions that Onuoha’s continued presence could compromise the election’s neutrality, citing his close ties to Wike, a member of the All Progressives Congress government.
HURIWA raised concerns over potential bias, particularly regarding INEC’s impartiality in overseeing the electoral process.
The organization also pointed out worries about the local police’s role, alleging that the Commissioner of Police in Edo may be compromised and favoring the APC.
They claimed that recent arrests of PDP leaders under questionable circumstances indicate a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at undermining the opposition.
HURIWA has urged the National Security Adviser to oversee security for the election, arguing that a non-partisan authority is essential to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The group further appealed for international observation, calling on diplomatic missions, including those from the United States and the European Union, to monitor the situation in Edo State and impose sanctions on individuals undermining the election’s credibility.
With the election viewed as a critical juncture for the state’s governance, HURIWA stressed the necessity of maintaining a fair electoral environment free from intimidation and external influences.
“We are calling on INEC to reconsider its stance on this matter. The refusal to redeploy Mr Onuoha raises serious questions about the commission’s commitment to conducting a credible election in Edo State. INEC’s reputation is on the line, and the Nigerian people deserve an election that is transparent and free of external influences”, HURIWA stated.
Adding to its concerns, HURIWA pointed to the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, whom it claims is also allegedly compromised.
“We are not saying that the allegations against him are correct but there is the need for the security of that election not to be questioned in the area of credibility”, it added.
