Why Rivers REC must be removed, by youth leader

The President-General of Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) International, Azubuike Wanjoku, has insisted that the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Obo Effanga, must be removed for openly working for the Peoples Democratic Party PDP).

According to him, Effanga lacked the competence and ability to conduct credible and transparent elections.

Wanjoku, who represents Ikwerre Constituency in the House of Assembly, spoke in an online statement by IYM’s National Publicity Secretary, Dike Bekwele. He stressed that Effanga allowed himself to be bribed by Governor Nyesom Wike, thereby taking sides.

The statement reads: “INEC in Rivers State, under Effanga, breached the confidence and trust reposed in it. So the REC must be removed to ensure transparency and security of lives and property, since his actions have led to violence and avoidable deaths.

“The botched by-election in Port Harcourt Constituency III of Rivers House of Assembly last August was a litmus test for Effanga, who failed to deliver on its mandate, an indication that he has compromised his integrity and value to conduct credible polls.”

Wanjoku urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Effanga and prosecute him to deter others.

The Inter-Party Advisory Consultative Council (IPAC) has urged the National chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to ignore calls to redeploy Effanga.

IPAC, with the support of other Pro-PDP groups – Coalition of Political Parties (CUPP) and the Coalition of Governorship candidates in the 2019 elections – noted that the call, allegedly sponsored by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, is malicious, diversionary and targeted at disrupting the collation process to create tension, rig Wike out of his victory.

At a joint news conference in Port Harcourt yesterday, IPAC chairman, Precious Baridoo said: “We represent 86 political parties and 54 governorship candidates. The call by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the All Progressive Congress (APC), for Effanga’s redeployment, is to allow them rig the elections which have been won by Governor Nyesom Wike.”