Leaders of the Labour Party have demanded the immediate reassignment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Imo State, Sylvia Agu.
The party leaders, who protested at INEC’s headquarters in Owerri, expressed their dissatisfaction with Agu’s conduct, doubting her ability to oversee a fair governorship election scheduled for November 11.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the protest was led by the state’s LP chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, who insisted on a credible election.
Ihejiagwa criticized INEC’s handling of the state House of Assembly elections in March, which resulted in 25 All Progressives Congress candidates winning out of the 27 Local Government Areas in the state.
According to Ihejiagwa, the only way to ensure a fair governorship election is for the commission to reassign its REC in the state promptly.
He said, “What we are demanding is very simple, remove the REC and follow the electoral guidelines stipulated by you. We are tired of politicians occupying leadership positions through the backdoor. Enough is enough.”
The Head of Voters Education at INEC’s office in the state, Emmanuella Opara, responded to the protesters’ concerns.
She commended their peaceful conduct and reassured them of INEC’s commitment to conducting a peaceful and transparent election on November 11.
