PDP Sues Tinubu For Appointing APC Member As INEC REC In Akwa Ibom

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu for appointing a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State.

VerseNews reports that in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/146/2023 filed before the Federal High Court in Abujahe, PDP is challenging the appointment of Etekamba Umoren as the REC, alleging that it is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, and void.

The party also alleges that the appointment is part of a plot by the ruling party to manipulate future elections and perpetuate itself in power.

The opposition party chieftains are urging the court to declare that “the 1st defendant (President Tinubu) cannot present the 3rd defendant (Umoren) to the 2nd defendant (Senate) for confirmation as REC for Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.”

No date has been set for the hearing of the suit.

In addition, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, expressed the party’s strong opposition to Umoren’s appointment, stating that it is a “provocative and vexatious defilement of the independence, integrity, and credibility of the electoral system.”

The PDP called on President Tinubu to appoint a neutral REC for Akwa Ibom State to avert potential crises and illegitimacy in future elections in the state.