Bye-elections: PDP calls for removal of Edo REC over alleged roles in 2024 guber poll

As the National Assembly bye-elections for the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency approaches, the State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has called for the removal of Anugbum Onuoha as the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed August 16, 2025, as the date for the bye-elections.

A statement by Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin City, said the call for the removal of the electoral commissioner was due to his alleged ignoble role in the last governorship election in the state.

Aziegbemi, also demanded for 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.

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The PDP State Caretaker Committee chairman, who noted that the party is highly prepared for the polls added that it was also confident that it would emerge victorious at the election.

According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had recently announced August 16th, 2025, as the date for the bye-elections to fill the two legislative seats at the National Assembly and working with the National Working Committee of our great party, in line with the party’s constitution set up machinery for the screening, congress and primary elections to produce candidates for the vacant seats.

“This process, which was credible, fair, open and transparent and adjudged by majority of PDP members produced Prince Joe Okojie as the party’s candidate for the Edo Central Senatorial District bye-election and Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi emerged as candidate of the PDP for the National Assembly election for Ovia Federal Constituency.

“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.

“We also demand that the Electoral Officers (EOs) during the 2024 gubenaotiral who were in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Etsako West, Etsako East, and Akoko Edo steer clear of the bye-elections. Their involvement in the irregularities that marred the last governorship election makes their participation unacceptable.

“The mantra, “One Man, One Vote”, remains our slogan and this we will uphold during the forthcoming bye-elections. As a party, we will not tolerate any form of electoral manipulation. We insist on a fair, credible, and transparent election and urge INEC, security agencies, and all stakeholders to ensure that every citizen’s vote counts and is protected”, he said.

He, however, wished members of the party that have defected to other party good luck in their future endeavours.

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While reminding the defectors from the party that the natural laws of nature also apply to politics, he opined that they remained focused in winning the elections.

“As we go into the elections, we remain focused on winning the National Assembly seats and as a formidable political party that enjoys the love and support of the people especially at the grassroots, we are confident of coming out victorious”, he added.

He urged voters in the various constituencies to remain vigilant, participate actively by coming out en masse to vote for PDP and its candidates who have the capacity and ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.