The All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Edo State has raised alarms regarding a potential plot to undermine the integrity of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 21. The party has alleged that three Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials are involved in a scheme to disrupt the electoral process.
In a formal complaint addressed to the INEC chairman, the APC has named the following officials as part of this alleged plot: Mr. Inoyengieni Frank Ogbise, the Head of Operations for Edo State; Mr. Lawrence Akan, the Head of ICT; and Ms. Blessing Suleman, the Electoral Officer for Akoko Edo Local Government Area.
According to the APC, these individuals are allegedly working in collaboration with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to skew the election results. The party's accusations are detailed in a letter to the INEC chairman, where they claim that Mr. Ogbise has been enlisting non-Edo INEC staff to support the PDP during the election. The letter also alleges that these staff members have been staying at a hotel reportedly owned by the Director General of the PDP campaign, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyemkewen.
The APC has urged for the immediate relocation of these officials to preserve the election's integrity. Additionally, they have accused Mr. Akan of distributing money to staff to sway their support towards the PDP and of being seen at the same hotel linked to the PDP campaign.
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 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 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 ICT of your Commission in Edo State were sighted 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 sighted 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 PVCs belonging to registered voters to the Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, thereby depriving the registered voters of the opportunity to collect their Voter’s 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.”
