CSOs Demand Removal of Anambra REC ahead Saturday’s Senatorial By-Election

A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Anambra State has demanded the removal of Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Queen Eliabeth Agwu, before  Anambra South, scheduled for Saturday. In a statement released to journalists in Awka on Monday, Chairman of the coalition, Mr. Chukwumah Okeke, and the […]

A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Anambra State has demanded the removal of Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Queen Eliabeth Agwu, before  Anambra South, scheduled for Saturday.

In a statement released to journalists in Awka on Monday, Chairman of the coalition, Mr. Chukwumah Okeke, and the Secretary, Mr. Felix Okechukwu, called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to urgently remove the Anambra REC in order to safeguard the credibility of the election and prevent potential embarrassment to the commission.

He also appealed to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to intervene on behalf of all political parties, warning that failure to address the situation could plunge the state into political instability.

“We are stakeholders in Anambra State politics and are fully committed to a free, fair, and credible election before, during, and after the by-election,”

“However, we are receiving troubling reports about the actions of the REC, Queen Elizabeth Agwu.”

The coalition insisted that only the immediate removal of Agwu can restore public confidence in the electoral process.

“Anything short of her removal will result in a compromised process and a monumental failure on the part of INEC,” Okeke warned.

The CSOs also criticized IPAC for its silence on the matter and urged the body to take a firm stand.

“IPAC cannot remain neutral while democratic processes are being undermined,” “It must engage with the INEC Chairman and demand Agwu’s removal. Her continued presence threatens the integrity of the entire electoral process.”he said.

The coalition stressed the need for a new REC to oversee Saturday’s poll, to ensure transparency and to avert post-election litigations arising from alleged manipulation and fraud.

When contacted by phone, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Queen Agwu, firmly denied the allegation, stating, “It is not true, and it can never be true.”

Responding to claims that she is planing to rig the election, Dr. Agwu questioned the logic behind the accusation, pointing out that the result sheets had not even been dispatched to Anambra State.

“How can I rig an election when we have only just completed the training of ad hoc staff? Ignore them , this is their usual tactic. You and I both know that I cannot rig an election when the result sheets and other sensitive materials have not even arrived as of today.”she asked.

Dr. Agwu further emphasized her commitment to due process and electoral integrity.

“I have a duty to protect, and I will never be part of anything that undermines our democracy,” she stated.