Remove Akwa Ibom REC, Igini, For ‘Hating’ Party – APC To INEC

For the alleged hatred for the party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, calling for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini.

In the petition entitled: “Petition against Mike Igini, the REC in Akwa Ibom State for his unbridled partisanship and partially: A request for his redeployment to avert anarchy,” and signed by the APC state Chairman and Secretary, Ini Okopido and Augustine Ekanem, respectively, the APC said it had established that “in total violation of his oath of office and code of conduct for senior electoral officials, Igini is working hand-in-glove with Governor Udom Emmanuel, to rig, manipulate and influence the forthcoming elections in favour of the governor and his party, the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP).”

The party (APC) alleged that Igini has been conducting himself in a very disgraceful manner that betrays his bias and preference for the PDP and governor Emmanuel

APC said: “In a recent telephone conversation with the undersigned, Ini Okopido, APC state chairman, Mr. Igini threatened that the APC will never win the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, no matter how big and massive our total tally is. He told me he would ensure the PDP is declared winner of the election, no matter what happens.

“We have evidence to show that Igini, has handed over the uncollected permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) to the officials of Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo. These uncollected PVCs are in thousands. We do know that it is not the role of the state government or its officials to keep custody of uncollected PVCs.

“Igini has been carrying out selective punitive measures against some electoral officers (EOs) whom he perceives to be resisting his partisanship and biased conducts. For instance, he recently removed the electoral officer (EO) of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, while other EOs have been thrown out of office for their uprightness, professionalism and decision to stand against Igini’s ulterior motives.”