Guber poll: Emulate IGP, redeploy Imo REC, PDP tells INEC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take a cue from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and immediately redeploy the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Sylvia Agu.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, gave the advice in a statement issued on Monday.

Ologunagba called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to immediately redeploy Agu over his alleged compromise to manipulate the Saturday governorship election in Imo State.

He urged Yakubu to emulate the IGP, who redeployed the Commissioners of Police in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states in response to public demand to ensure neutrality in the elections.

The PDP spokesman also called on Yakubu to heed public outcry, petitions, and protests by the people of Imo State, political parties, and civil society organisations for the removal of Agu over her alleged compromise.

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Ologunagba said the people of the state could not accept any electoral process with Agu as REC, given her alleged role “in the manipulation of the 2023 National and House of Assembly elections in Imo”.

He stated that the redeployment of Agu out of Imo State is the only way to restore public confidence in the electoral process, guarantee a credible election, and avert crisis in the state.

He added: “The PDP calls on the INEC Chairman to note that the integrity of an election principally lies in the confidence of the electorate in the electoral process.

“Agu has lost the rectitude as REC and should not be part of the conduct of the November 11 governorship election.

“Her continuing stay in office as Imo REC is vexatious and a recipe for crisis.

“The PDP, therefore, restates its demand on the INEC Chairman to immediately redeploy Agu out of Imo so as to restore the confidence of the people and the integrity of the electoral process.”

The Star