Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the nomination of Dr. Suleman Ovouehor Ikhuoria as a member of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
Ikhuoria, an INEC ad hoc staff during the 2019 general elections, is facing allegations of election rigging and vote manipulation.
During a tribunal hearing in 2019, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma presented an audio recording allegedly featuring Dr. Ikhuoria admitting to rigging votes in favor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The tribunal also heard claims that a sting operation conducted by the Directorate of State Security (DSS) implicated Ikhuoria in receiving marked cash to alter election results.
Ikhuoria’s nomination has sparked debate across political circles and civil society organizations.
Critics have raised concerns about the implications of his appointment, given his alleged ties to election irregularities.
The nomination of Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, an APC stalwart, as chairman of the electoral body has further amplified fears of partisanship.
Commentators argue that these appointments may undermine the neutrality required of EDSIEC, potentially eroding public trust in Edo State’s electoral system.
A spokesperson for the opposition PDP, Goodluck Osaretin called the nominations “a brazen affront to democracy,” alleging they form part of a broader agenda to entrench APC dominance through compromised electoral oversight.
“We call on our members in the Edo State House of Assembly to find the courage to do the needful and reject these tainted nominations.”
Civil society leaders have urged Governor Okpebholo to prioritize impartiality and transparency by revisiting the appointments.”
“The nomination of individuals with alleged controversial electoral histories sets a dangerous precedent for democracy in Edo, and indeed for Nigeria” a representative from the Edo Voters’ Alliance remarked.
As political gladiators reconvene at the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal Wednesday in a bitter dispute over what many analysts have called an irregular governorship election process, observers warn that the impartiality and independence of EDSIEC may be the testing ground of democratic resilience within the state.
