By Emeka Samuel
Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Akwa Ibom State Barrister Mike Igini has insisted that no political party or politician would influence his conduct of elections in the state. This is as youths of the All Progressive Congress in Akwa Ibom State had on Monday called for his removal for alleged partisanship.
Igini told newsmen in Uyo that calls for his removal were baseless adding that he would not succumb to undue interference from political parties in the selection of ad-hoc staff and in the electoral process.
The commissioner stated that all Adhoc staff were either members of the NYSC, staff of federal establishments, University lectures and those who finished national service from 2015 adding that no political party was involved in the selection process.
He said he would continue to abide by all the rules governing the conduct of the polls and would not be intimidated or allow the antics and schemes of politicians affect the smooth conduct of the polls describing allegations that he has been used by the PDP as laughable.
“You remember that when I came to Akwa Ibom the talk then was that I was brought here by the APC but now the APC are the ones saying that I am working for the PDP, so which do l take?” He asked.
He called on the parties to educate their members and work only towards the peaceful conduct of the elections in the state.
Meanwhile, the youths who blocked the entrance of the INEC office called for Igini’s redeployment from Akwa Ibom because of his undue romance with the candidates of the PDP in the area. Carrying placards with various inscriptions such as: “Igini must go,’ ‘Igini handed uncollected PVCs to Udom Emmanuel,’ ‘Igini save our state from crisis,” the youths claimed that the REC was working according to the dictates of the PDP led state government.
