Wike Confirms Edo INEC REC Is His Cousin, But Insists “Not Even INEC Chairman Can Influence The REC”

By Gideon Njoku

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has confirmed one of the fears of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The PDP had claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State is Wike’s cousin.

Explaining why the PDP and its Candidate, Asue Ighodalo, refused to sign the Peace Accord put together by the Peace Committee headed by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, both Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP State Chairman said, among other things, that the INEC REC, Dr. Anugbum Onuaha, is Wike’s cousin, and so would never organize a fair election in the State. They requested that the REC be posted out of the State to ensure fairness. They said he would be under the influence of Wike, and that given Wike’s non cordial relationship with Obaseki, it should be taken for granted that the REC would do Wike’s bidding.

Minister Wike, speaking in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, Friday night, confirmed that the Edo REC is his cousin.  But he, also, noted, that the REC has been in Edo for one year and counting, and wondered why the PDP wants him out now.

Asked how fair that was, Wike asked: “So, do you want me to ask for my cousin to be posted out? Should I lobby for my enemy to take his position?”

However, Wike insisted that his cousin is a very strong character who cannot be influenced by anybody, including  the INEC Chairman,

Professor Mahmoud Yakubu.

According to Wike, the Edo REC would rather quit his job than be influenced to do the wrong thing by anybody.