Anugbum Onuoha, the resident electoral commissioner in Edo, has stated that his familial connection to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), should not disqualify him from serving as an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo recently called for Onuoha’s reassignment by INEC due to his family relationship with Wike.
Onuoha previously worked as a special adviser on lands during Wike’s tenure as the governor of Rivers State.
During an interview with Channels Television, Onuoha urged Nigerians to assess him based on his skills, integrity, and moral values, rather than focusing on his association with Wike.
He stated, “It is a fact that I am a cousin to the minister. On my appointment, I was invited by the Senate. The Senate screened and confirmed me. I was sworn in by my chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
“I was posted to Edo last year. Nobody complained that I’m a cousin to the minister. Of course, I’m a cousin to the minister. What we should be talking about at this time is capacity. Do you have the capacity to conduct the election? Are you competent enough?
“From my background, I am an associate professor of law. People should ask, ‘can he do this job? Has he done a similar thing before?’ Yes, I was an electoral commissioner in Rivers State’s RSIEC. Nobody complained.
“I’m coming from the university.
“The mere fact that I’m a cousin to Wike does not preclude me from being appointed. Am I not a Nigerian? What Nigerians should be after is the person’s competence and whether he has what it takes to handle the job. Those are the issues they should ask.”
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