PDP rejects ‘imposition’ of Etekamba Umoren as Akwa Ibom REC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the appointment of Etekamba Umoren as the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom.

On October 25, President Bola Tinubu appointed 10 new resident electoral commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Umoren, a former chief of staff to Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, was among the INEC REC nominees the president recommended for confirmation.

Umoren, who had in times past openly campaigned for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was appointed as the secretary to the state government (SSG) of Akwa Ibom by PDP’s Udom Emmanuel in 2015.

At a press conference on Thursday, Debo Ologunagba, spokesperson of the PDP, said the ruling APC is using Umoren as a tool to manipulate the operations of the national electoral commission.

“The PDP rejects the imposition of Ejikabam Umoren as Akwa Ibom state Resident Electoral Commissioner. As a party we counsel him to steer clear of Akwa Ibom INEC office,” he said.

“We demand that President Bola Tinubu to appoint a neutral resident electoral  commissioner. We expose a dangerous design by the ever scheming All Progressives Congress (APC) to put itself into power by annexing and manipulating the operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Of particular concern is the brazen imposition of a card-carrying member and prominent leader of APC in Akwa Ibom state Mr Ekuobah Umoren as the INEC resident commissioner for the state despite the loud and wide outcry and rejection by Nigerians particularly by our party, the PDP and the people of Akwa Ibom state.

“Mr Umoren is not only a card carrying member of APC, he is a leader and cap-wearing and cloth-wearing APC member.”