Im the buildup to the highly anticipated Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised serious allegations against three staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The APC claims that the accused INEC officials are involved in a scheme to manipulate the election in favor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In a formal letter addressed to the INEC Chairman, the APC expressed concerns about the integrity of the upcoming election, accusing the three staff of working to undermine a free and fair process. The letter, titled “Attempt to Compromise the Edo Governorship Election,” specifically mentioned the Head of Operations in Edo State, Mr. Inoyengieni Frank Ogbise, the Head of ICT, Mr. Lawrence Akan, and the Electoral Officer of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Mrs. Blessing Suleman.
According to the APC, Mr. Ogbise has been recruiting staff from outside Edo State to work with the PDP, suggesting that these employees were being brought in to sway the outcome of the election. The APC also alleged that some of these individuals were staying at a hotel owned by the Director-General of the PDP’s campaign organization, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyemkewen. The APC asked INEC to remove these staff from their positions to ensure the election is conducted fairly.
The letter reads: “Our concerns and reservations are directed at three (3) Staff of your Commission: 1. THE HOD OPERATION EDO STATE: MR. INOYENGIENI FRANK 0GBISE.
“The above officer has been recruiting some staff of your commission from outside Edo State to work for the interest of the P.D.P. in the September 21st 2024 Governorship election in Edo State.
“It is further noted that the said HOD Operation has been involved in the planting of some INEC staff from your headquarters in a Hotel belonging to the Director General of the P.D.P. Campaign organization.
“We urge you to ensure that all the INEC staff who are currently accommodated in ETERNO HOTEL belong to the Director General of the P.D.P. Campaign Organization, one HON. MATTHEW IDUORIYEMKEWEN are relocated to ensure that the election is conducted properly.
“It is noted that the said MR. INOYENGIENI OGBISE and a Deputy Director lCT of your Commission in Edo State were sited at the Edo State Government House on the 17th of September, 2024.
“We also have it on good authority that shortly before this period, the said HOD Operation, relocated his family to Canada, as he is planning to travel out of the country immediately after the election.
“THE HEAD OF ICT EDO STATE: MR. LAWRENCE AKAN We have on good authority that the head of ICT of your Commission in Edo is acting to Compromise the election in Edo State.
“It is noted that the Head of ICT, was seen giving out money to his immediate staff to share, stating that the money came from P.D.P. It is also noted that he took some staff of your Commission to ETERNO HOTEL, which is owned by MR. MATTHEW IDUORIYEMKEWEN, who is the Director General of the P.D.P. organization.
“THE ELECTORAL OFFICER (EO) OF AKOKO EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE: BLESSING SULEIMAN It is noted that the Electoral Officer, BLESSING SULEIMAN was sited at the Government House. She was also seen with the unit Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, who is a member of P.D.P.
“It is further noted that she gave PvC belonging to registered voters to the Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, thereby depriving the registered voters of the opportunity to collect their Voters Card.
“Flowing from the above, we urge you to use your good office to intervene, as our party has lost confidence in the ability of these staff to conduct a free and fair election in Edo State on behalf of your Commission.”
