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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed concerns over an alleged scheme to interfere with the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 21.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party accused three INEC officials of conspiring to undermine the integrity of the election process.
The individuals named in the letter are the Head of Operations for Edo State, Mr. Inoyengieni Frank Ogbise, the Head of ICT, Mr. Lawrence Akan, and the Electoral Officer for Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Ms. Blessing Suleman.
The APC claimed that these staff members are working with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to disrupt the will of the electorate.
The letter alleges that Mr. Ogbise has been recruiting non-Edo INEC staff to support the PDP during the election.
It further states that these staff members have been lodged in a hotel reportedly owned by the Director General of the PDP campaign, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyemkewen.
The party called for the immediate relocation of these officials to ensure the integrity of the election.
APC also raised concerns about Mr. Akan, the Head of ICT, claiming that he has been distributing money to staff and instructing them to support the PDP.
According to the party, he has also been spotted with staff members at the same hotel linked to the PDP campaign.
In addition, the APC accused Ms. Suleman of collaborating with the PDP’s unit chairman in Akoko Edo to withhold Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from eligible voters.
The party claims that the PVCs were handed over to the chairman, preventing registered voters from collecting them.
The letter reads: “Our concerns and reservations are directed at three (3) Staff of your Commission: 1. THE HOD OPERATION EDO STATE: MR. INOYENGIENI FRANK 0GBISE.
“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 21st 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 staff who are currently accommodated in ETERNO HOTEL belong 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 lCT 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.
“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.
“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.”
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