The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is intensifying its call for the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, to take immediate action and reassign the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sylvia Agu.
The party alleges that Agu’s impartiality has been compromised with the aim of influencing November 11, 2023, governorship elections in favour of the ruling party.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP draws attention to the recent actions of the Inspector General of Police, who redeployed Commissioners of Police in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States in response to public demands for neutrality in the upcoming governorship elections.
The PDP calls upon INEC Chairman Yakubu to follow this example.
The PDP contends that Sylvia Agu’s continued presence as Imo REC is a potential source of crisis, citing widespread protests, petitions, and demands for her removal from the people of Imo State, political parties, civil society organisations, and the Ohaneze Youth Council.
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Agu’s alleged involvement in manipulating the 2023 National and House of Assembly elections in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has further eroded confidence in her ability to oversee a fair election.
The party underscores that the integrity of an election relies on the electorate’s trust in the electoral process, and Sylvia Agu’s position as REC is no longer seen as credible.
Allegations of clandestine meetings between Agu and certain APC agents, reportedly facilitated by her close relative, have heightened concerns about her impartiality.
The PDP reiterates its demand for INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to promptly reassign Prof. Sylvia Agu from her role as Imo REC to restore public confidence and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
The party emphasises that Agu’s continued presence in the office is not only problematic but also a potential catalyst for electoral crises in the state.
(Edited by Oludare Mayowa; omayowa@globalfinancialdigest.com; Newsroom: +234 8033 964 138)
