In a recent press conference, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently rejected the controversial appointment of Mr. Etekamba Umoren, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement National Publicity Secretary of the party Hon. Debo Ologunagba said the PDP, along with various segments of the Nigerian populace, has raised concerns about this appointment, emphasizing its incompatibility with the principles of impartiality and non-partisanship integral to electoral processes.
Mr. Umoren’s affiliation with the APC, as a well-known leader and active participant in the party’s electoral campaigns, has raised significant apprehensions. The PDP highlights the appointment’s apparent violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the universal expectation of neutrality from electoral bodies and their officials.
The PDP points to Section 141 of the Electoral Act of 2022, which expressly prohibits individuals holding elected positions or being registered members of a political party from taking on roles such as returning officer, electoral officer, presiding officer, or poll clerk within INEC. This provision serves as a cornerstone, safeguarding INEC’s independence, impartiality, and non-partisanship in the electoral process.
The PDP asserts that Mr. Umoren’s appointment not only infringes upon the integrity and credibility of INEC but also threatens the sanctity of the electoral system as a whole. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Mr. Umoren’s mission in this role, as assigned by APC leadership, is to manipulate critical electoral processes, materials, and systems, including voter registration, the collection of voter cards, tampering with the voter register, the delineation of electoral constituencies, and coercion of INEC personnel. These actions are purportedly aimed at laying the groundwork for future elections in Akwa Ibom State that favor the APC.
The imposition of Mr. Umoren as a REC has already provoked significant unrest, with the potential for further agitation and a breakdown of law and order in Akwa Ibom State. Additionally, the violation of Section 141 of the Electoral Act of 2022 renders any elections overseen by Mr. Umoren susceptible to allegations of illegitimacy.
The PDP underscores the fact that the people of Akwa Ibom State are well-versed in the legal framework and will not tolerate such an imposition that threatens to undermine their electoral choices.
Moreover, the PDP invokes Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which emphasizes the need for appointments to federal agencies, especially sensitive entities like INEC, to promote national unity and command national loyalty. The imposition of a card-carrying member and prominent APC leader in Akwa Ibom State contradicts the express provisions, intent, and purpose of this constitutional section.
The PDP highlights allegations that Mr. Umoren has been implicated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a corruption scandal involving the misappropriation of billions of Naira from Akwa Ibom State while he held a position in the state government. These allegations, combined with his APC membership, raise questions about his suitability to serve as an REC. The role of a REC demands an individual with high integrity who exudes non-partisanship, instilling confidence in the electorate and ensuring the legitimacy of any elections they oversee.
The PDP calls on Mr. Umoren to distance himself from the INEC office in Akwa Ibom State. They urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promptly initiate the process of appointing a neutral Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, aiming to prevent potential crises and electoral illegitimacy in the state.
The PDP remains committed to upholding the principles of impartiality and fairness in the electoral process and expresses its determination to ensure that the rights and choices of the people of Akwa Ibom State are respected in all future elections.
