The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday dispelled rumours claiming that its Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Johnson Sinikiem, was detained by the police.
Addressing the issue on Friday, the electoral body stated that the Edo REC was not detained but invited by the police “to provide insight into some technical issues regarding our processes and nothing more.”
INEC however frowned against the invitation, adding that any other official assigned by the commission could have provided the police with the insight required.
While adding that the Police Commissioner or any assigned representative could have visited the INEC office instead of inviting the state REC, the electoral body warned that to avoid any action creating the impression of the harassment of its officials.
“The Commission can confirm that the REC was invited. However, the Edo State Police Command has issued a statement to clarify the situation, saying that the REC was only invited to provide insight into some technical issues regarding our processes and nothing more. He was neither detained nor is he personally under investigation as media reports suggested.
“While we welcome the clarification by the Police Command, we wish to point out that any other official of the Commission assigned by the REC could have provided the required insight. Alternatively, a visit to our State Office by the Commissioner of Police or his assigned representative could have achieved the same goal as has been the tradition in our collaborative relationship with security agencies.
“For emphasis, our REC in Edo State, Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, is a conscientious public officer and co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security ICCES at the State level. He was the sitting REC when the last Governorship election was conducted in Edo State on 19th September 2020 which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible.
“Any action capable of creating the impression of harassment of our officials or infringement of the independence of the Commission must be avoided, especially at this critical period of our preparations for the 2023 General Election”.
