By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) on Friday issued a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that they will disrupt the electoral process in Edo State if their demands are not met. 

At a protest rally held at INEC’s Abuja headquarters, NRM leaders voiced their strong objection to the omission of their gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dennis Osaron Aikoriogie, from the list of candidates for the forthcoming September 21 election.

The party leadership decried INEC’s decision to leave out Dr. Aikoriogie from the list released on Sunday, March 31, 2024, as an egregious oversight.

According to the party, INEC had showcased the candidates from 17 political parties for the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial race. 

However, the NRM lamented that despite their candidate having participated in the legitimate primary elections—monitored by INEC officials from both National Headquarters in Abuja and the State HoD GAP in Benin, and extensively reported by the media—his name was conspicuously absent from the list posted on Saturday by the Edo State INEC office, under the watch of Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Anugbum Onuoha.

Olusola Afuye, National Publicity Secretary of the NRM, declared, “The National Rescue Movement (NRM) demands that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should immediately upload the name and credentials of our candidate or risk scuttling the entire process which has cost the country a lot of taxpayers’ money,”

Afuye shed light on the underlying issues fueling the current situation, pointing to the perceived partiality of a top director at INEC. 

According to him, the official has allegedly shown vested interest in the party and a blatant disregard for due process by obstructing the party’s right to self-governance.

“It would interest you to know that the background and originating issues precipitating the present situation is not unconnected with the apparent bias of the Ag Director of Election & Party Monitoring, who is presumed to be neutral and non-partisan, but has however wilfully refused to allow members of our great party to freely exercise our rights to choose how our internal party affairs should be run and governed,” the spokesperson continued.

Furthermore, the NRM emphasized the urgency of their demands, insisting on the immediate implementation of resolutions made during their NEC meeting held on October 23, 2023. 

“As law-abiding citizens, we have taken our time, over the past seven months for the Commission to resolve the needless issue created by their officer, but it has now become clear that some persons for whatever reasons have shown clearly to be above the Commission,” they stated.

The NRM called for INEC’s immediate response to prevent any potential electoral interruptions, urging Nigerians and their Edo State supporters to stand firm against any undemocratic actions.

Afuye further highlighted the party’s resolve to lead Nigeria away from its current hardships and to offer substantive options for governance, with a particular focus on improving conditions in Edo State.