Stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State have passed vote of no confidence on Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC Mr. Cyril Omoregbe.
A group under the aegis of Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, last week condemned the Akwa Ibom REC for working in isolation and refusing to grant audience to stakeholders when it was critical to do so.
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Speaking after a recent meeting, a member of the organization, Mr. Franklin Isong, said it was disrespectful of the INEC boss to behave in reckless defiance to the expectations of the public without any token of apologies.
In a related development, Captain Augustine Okon, the Director-General , Peter Obi Campaign Council in Akwa Ibom State has said the people of the state have lost trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, adding that the commission lacks credibility to conduct free and fair election.
Captain Okon based his accusation on what he described as brazen connivance between the INEC and the agents of the PDP, who he said intimidated, bullied , maimed and forcefully abducted adhoc staff of INEC and ended up presenting results outside people’s wish during the 25th March election.
He said out of 4354 polling units which LP applied to get tags for the party agents, but INEC gave less than 1000 tags were given to LP.
Omoregbe, it was learnt, has also been heavily criticized for his failure or refusal to take part in or sent a representative to a another recent stakeholders’ meeting at the instance of the Nigerian Police at the Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, where as was gathered, serious issues on the conduct of the rescheduled March 18, 2023 governorship and House of Assembly election were discussed.
As was reported on some local radio stations monitored by our reporter, the INEC helmsman was berated for behaving in a manner suspicious of someone scheming to frustrate efforts of stakeholders at preparing good grounds for credible and fair election in the State.
Omoergebe assumed duty as Akwa Ibom REC in August 2022, following the exit of Barr. Mike Igini from the Commission. Commentators say after the charade of February 25 across the country, the incumbent REC has much at stake to prove in a week’s time.
