Members of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo State, on Friday, demanded the immediate redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Sylvia Agu, from the State.
They made the call during a protest at the INEC state headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
State chairman of Labour Party, Barr. Callistus Ihejiakwa, said to achieve credible election during the forthcoming November 11 governorship poll in the State, Prof. Agu must be redeployed from the State.
He bemoaned the role of INEC during the last National and State Assembly elections, saying there was a need for a new and impartial REC in Imo State.
He said: “Our party is no longer comfortable with the current REC in the State following what what we observed during the House of Assembly election where INEC guidelines were not followed.
“What we are demanding is very simple, remove the REC and follow the electoral guidelines stipulated by you. We are tired of politicians occupying leadership positions through the backdoor. Enough is enough.”
According to him, the party will remain peaceful even as it intensifies the demand for a new REC.
Responding, INEC head of Voter Education in the state, Mrs Emmanuella Opara, commended the LP protesters for what she described as their orderly conduct even as she disclosed INEC’s readiness to conduct credible governorship poll in the State.
According to her, the Commission would never compromise on its duty to conduct credible elections in the State even as she assured of a level playing ground for all the political parties that would participate in the November 11, 2023 exercise.
