APC writes to INEC, wants Akwa-Ibom REC removed

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding the removal of Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini.

Blessing Agbomhere, APC Zone Organizing Secretary, South-South, signed the petition addressed to INEC President, Mahmood Yakubu.

The petition, dated July 7, called for Mr. Igini to be fired within the next 48 hours.

The Akwa-Ibom APC has been in crisis for some time. There was a power struggle between a former national party secretary, John Akpanudoedehe and Godswill Akpabio, a former state governor.

The struggle for control of the party has created factions within the party and also parallel primaries. In Akwa-Ibom Northwest, Udom Ekpoudom and Mr. Akpabio ran as senatorial candidates. , However, the INEC recognized the election that produced the former.

Mr. Akpanudoedehe has since defected to join the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Despite his defection, the state crisis persists.

< em>Mike Igini (Photo: Channels TV)

Mr. Igini, in an interview with Arise TV, which was published by PREMIUM TIMES, said the state's APC failed to follow applicable laws. He noted that a faction was using false documents to obtain a "fraudulent judgment".

In the letter, APC accuses Mr. Igini of “relentless acts of bias, injustice, sabotage and malice inflicted on the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State.”

According to Mr. Agbomhere, Mr. Igini has over the years since his deployment, ostensibly sabotaged and worked against the APC in the state.

He added that Mr. Igini was partisan and supported a political party despite the provision of the law that by virtue of his position and membership of INEC he is deemed to be an impartial arbiter, incorruptible and impartial in every electoral process.

Mr. Agbomhere pointed out that a breach of the provision of Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2022 is not without consequences and these are rightly addressed in Section 120 of the Act. ALSO READ: INTERVIEW: How Akwa Ibom APC got into trouble - Mike Igini

He added that the party would be ready to apply to the Code's Office of the Code and the Federal High Court to compel the Commission to remove Mr. Igini.

“Based on the foregoing facts which we have just made available to you, Mr. President, it is undeniable that Mr. Mike Igini, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, has been compromised, was partisan, and sadly was abused his office as an INEC official, so we send the following prayers to you;

"That, Mr. Mike Igini is not fit and suitable to remain as the State's INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner. Indeed, a free and fair election begins with a free and fair process. Therefore, Mr. Igini has compromised, so he does not have the ability to direct or oversee any election in the state.

"That, Mr. Mike Igini be referred to the proper authorities for prosecution for breach of Section 26 of the Elections Act 2022.

"Can I remind you, Mr....