Nigerians React As Edo APC And PDP Clash-Over Alleged Plans To Manipulate Voter Registration For 2024-Governorship-Election

Ahead of the Monday, May 27, 2024, commencement of the continuous voter registration for the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State, the state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have engaged in a war of words over alleged plans to manipulate the exercise….CONTINUE READING

Ireporteronline reports that the APC, at a press briefing in Benin City on Friday, accused the Edo State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of conniving with the PDP to manipulate the voter registration exercise in favor of the latter.

Peter Uwadiae, the Edo APC Publicity Secretary, alleged that the party has uncovered plans by the PDP to rig the 2024 governorship election using the forthcoming Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) as a platform.

“We have on good authority and from multiple sources that some gullible officials of INEC in most of the 18 local government areas that make up our state have approached the outgoing Edo State government to provide them with ‘logistics’ for the CVR,” Uwadiae said. “These unpatriotic INEC officials have promised to allow the PDP unfettered access to INEC data capturing machines.”

Uwadiae further claimed that the governor has agreed to deploy Edo teachers, civil servants, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as ad hoc staff for the CVR, promising to bankroll their stipends after the exercise.

“Governor Obaseki’s irritating compromise of INEC is all part of his unholy plan to have his local government chairmen manipulate the CVR in their localities,” he added. “The governor intends to collect the cards from underage voters and give them to others he plans to hire from Delta State to invade some units in our state and foment trouble on the day of the election.”

Uwadiae demanded the immediate deployment of INEC’s Head of ICT in Edo State and strict compliance with INEC-designated venues for the CVR exercise. He also called for the restriction of voter transfers from neighboring states and rejected the use of state security outfits for the exercise.

Responding on behalf of the state government and the PDP, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikare, dismissed the APC’s allegations, stating they indicate the party’s unpreparedness for the election.

“We are worried because instead of the APC admitting their failure, they are busy making allegations against an unbiased umpire,” Nehikare said. “We believe in getting Edo people to come out and register, and we will support INEC in this regard.”

INEC’s Head of Voters’ Education in Edo, Timidi Wariowei, also responded, noting that the APC had not raised any concerns during recent stakeholders’ meetings. “If the APC or any political party has grievances against the commission or its staff, they have the right to petition the agency. Our doors are always open to entertain any complaints,” he said.

Published By: Destiny.Jnr