…calls for removal of Edo REC ahead of August 16 bye-elections
The Osun State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the international Diplomatic Community to investigate what it describes as an alleged misuse of federal influence by Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, over purported comments suggesting political interference.
In a statement issued in Osogbo and signed by Sunday Bisi, the State Chairman, the party accused the former Osun State governor of plotting to manipulate the 2026 Governorship election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), using federal institutions and political connections.
The PDP alleged that during a recent APC caucus meeting, Oyetola reportedly made remarks indicating plans to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Nigeria Police to subvert the will of the Osun electorate.
According to the party, the minister was quoted as boasting that he had used his influence to prevent Governor Ademola Adeleke from defecting to the APC, and further claimed that Local Government allocations would not be released to the PDP-led Administration until after the election, in order to weaken the governor’s support at the grassroots level.
“We waited for more than 48 hours with the expectations that the Minister will deny the reports but till now, he has remained silent. We are encouraged therefore to belief that the Minister actually made those threatening remarks,” the statement said.
It, however, called on President Tinubu to immediately sanction the minister, and direct the Attorney General to comply with the Court of Appeal judgment recognising PDP chairmen and councilors, and ensure that the withheld Local Government funds are released without further delay.
The party also urged the diplomatic community to take note of what it described as an open declaration of intent to manipulate the electoral process, stating that Osun people are prepared to defend their votes against any form of intimidation or political interference.
In a related development, Edo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), called for the removal of Anugbum Onuoha, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), claiming that he was planted to rig the August 16, 2025 bye-elections to be conducted to fill the vacant seats at the National Assembly.
A statement by Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin City, called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, alleging ignoble role he played in the 2024 Governorship election in the State.
Aziegbemi, also demanded the exclusion of electoral officers that participated in the 2024 Governorship election in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Etsako West, Etsako East, and Akoko Edo Local Government Areas from the bye-elections.
The PDP State Caretaker Committee Chairman, who noted that the party is highly prepared for the polls, adding that it is also confident that it would emerge victorious at the election.
He said, “Having completed this preelection process, our party in Edo State is highly prepared for the polls and are confident that we will emerge victorious. The areas in the contest are traditional strongholds of the PDP and with the quality and credential of our candidates and the support of the people, including our party supporters and members, we are sure of victory at the polls.
“We, however, want to express displeasure that some electoral officers whom we are aware of, from their antecedent, have been compromised. We unequivocally demand the immediate redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha, due to his ignoble role in the last governorship election.
“His actions during the last Gubernatorial polls undermined the credibility and integrity of the electoral process, and we cannot allow such a tainted official to oversee the forthcoming bye-elections in Edo State.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu must as a matter of urgency meet this demand and boost voters confidence and assure the credibility of the process.
