By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Benin chapter, weekend, disowned one adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr Paul Uwugiaren, who was arrested by the police while attempting to manipulate the result of the National Assembly elections in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Mr Uwugiaren had told newsmen that he was a lecturer at the UNIBEN shortly after he confessed that he was given money by a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to falsify the result in favour of the party.

But in a statement by the Chairman of the ASUU, Dr Anthony Monye-Emina, he said “it is true that the INEC recruited ad hoc personnel from the university, lecturers inclusive. We want to state that the lecturer, who was said to have perpetrated the electoral fraud in question is not a member of ASUU, UNIBEN.

“It is important to state that electoral fraud is highly condemnable and it is so condemned by ASUU, UNIBEN. It is hoped that in this matter, the relevant authorities while allowing the law to take its course and for fair hearing, would  ensure that the perpetrator is made to feel the full weight of the law, if found guilty,” the statement added.

The union, however, commended its members participating in the elections “for conducting themselves very well. It is hoped that they will continue in that spirit throughout the period of this all important national service.”