Edo INEC commissioner: I won’t take any bribe — nobody will try it with me

Rhoda Gumus, national commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Edo poll, has vowed not to accept bribes in the ongoing governorship election.

Speaking on Friday on ‘Politics Today’, a Channels TV programme, Gumus said her conscience is not for sale even to the highest bidder. 

She added that she would ensure that the “election is conducted in a free, fair and credible manner”.

“I am in charge of Edo. I want to do the right thing, even though I will not be everywhere. We will conduct this election in a free, fair and credible manner,” she said. 

“I cannot take bribes no matter how much. I don’t have to take billions to do what is right. 

“Nowhere, nobody will try. Nobody will try me. You know in any office… you are in this country, they know everything about you. And when they know you, they will not come near. If I see it, I will not allow it.

“You won’t believe that since we started this process everyday, I am on the platform with the EOCs. In five or two minutes intervals, I will enter the platform to know what is happening. If there is anything, I would correct.

“That is what I have been doing.”

Gumus said not even a N1 billion kickback can sway her to alter figures of the poll.

Her promise comes hours after Anugbum Onuoha, resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Edo, said being a cousin of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), would not make him biased in the discharge of his duties.