By Seyi Babalola
Transparency for Electoral Systems Advocacy (TESA), a civil society organisation, has accused officials of the Edo office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of mopping up voter’s cards for People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead September 21 governorship election in the state.
State Coordinator of TESA, Dr. Philip Edosa-Amadasun, made the allegation weekend in a petition the group sent to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu.
Titled: “Petition against Compromising Electoral Officers (EOs) in Edo State over Transfer of Bulk PVCs to PDP Leaders”, TESA said: “Sir, on Friday, the 23rd August, 2024, the EO of Esan Central Local Government Area; Mrs. Uduak Obot, was in the Irrua residence of a former PDP Senator.
“We believe that such unholy alliance between the ruling PDP in Edo state and INEC officials is the reason members of the public including APC and Labour Party supporters were being denied their PVCs in the recent distribution exercise.
*Full text of the Petition…
TRANSPARENCY FOR ELECTORAL SYSTEMS ADVOCACY
(TESA)
I26 IKPOBA SLOPE
BENIN CITY
EDO STATE
electoraltransparency@gmail.com
24th August, 2024
Attention: Professor Mahmood Yakubu
National Chairman
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Plot 436 Zambezi Maitama Abuja
Federal Capital Territory
Abuja.
Dear Sir,
Petition Against Compromising Electoral Officers (EOs) in Edo State Over Transfer of Bulk PVCs to PDP Leaders
With few weeks to the governorship election in Edo state, coming up on the 21st September, 2024, we wish to bring to your notice reports of Electoral Officers’ compromising positions, a situation that threatens the sanctity of the nation’s fledgling democracy and capable of causing voter-apathy.
Electoral Officers popularly referred to as EOs in Edo state have been meeting with PDP leaders, a situation that has resulted in the scandalous reports on social media platforms that members of the public were being denied their PVCs.
Sir, on Friday, the 23rd August, 2024, the EO of Esan Central Local Government Area; Mrs. Uduak Obot, was in the Irrua residence of a former PDP Senator. We believe that such unholy alliance between the ruling PDP in Edo state and INEC officials is the reason members of the public including APC and Labour Party supporters were being denied their PVCs in the recent distribution exercise.
Members of the public have raised alarm in Esan Central local government area and other local government areas across the state, over their inability to find their PVCs. Their PVCs were reportedly handed over to PDP leaders in a conspiracy to rig elections.
In a recent video on social media during the week, a lady named Edith Uwadia in Ikpoba-Okha local government of Edo South senatorial district, lamented how she was denied her PVC as the INEC officials handed over bulk PVCs to PDP leaders after collecting monies from the politicians.
In the light of the following, we therefore call for;
- The removal of the EOs in Esan Central local government area, Ikpoba-Okha local government areas and others across Edo state for equity, justice and fairness. Reports of EOs compromise are already affecting the voting public, a situation that is capable of causing voter-apathy and breakdown of law and order.
- That security agencies should investigate the indicted EOs in Esan Central local government area, Ikpoba-Okha local government areas and others in the state.
- That the INEC Commissioner in Edo state should be withdrawn from conducting the election since under his watch, there is high level of corruption among electoral officials. There has been reports of the INEC Commissioners’ romance with PDP leaders including the Governor of the state.
- That the INEC National Chairman should take charge of the activities leading to the off-circle governorship election coming up on the 21st September 2024 in Edo state.
- That the police, DSS and other security agencies should take charge of the state and investigate the activities of those that will be involved in the governorship election. There are too many reports of PDP trying to corrupt the electoral officers including the ad-hoc staff, election observers and the Edo based security officials ahead of the governorship election.
As stakeholder in the elections in Edo state and Nigeria, we shall cooperate with other agencies and organizations to ensure that the governorship election in Edo state is free and fair.
Thank you for your cooperation.
State Coordinator
Dr. Philip Edosa-Amadasun
