Amid Controversy, Wike’s Cousin Takes Over As Akwa Ibom REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed Anugbum Onuoha, a former aide and cousin to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State.

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The commission disclosed that the outgoing REC, Obo Effanga, handed over to Onuoha at the INEC state headquarters in Uyo on April 17.

Effanga is expected to assume duty in Edo State as part of what INEC described as a routine administrative redeployment.

Onuoha, a professor of property and secured credit law, previously served as REC in Edo State, where he supervised the 2024 governorship election.

He was among the RECs appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.

Before his appointment, he served as a special adviser on lands and survey under Nyesom Wike in Rivers State.

Onuoha’s appo intment has attracted criticism in the past due to his political and family ties to Wike.

Opposition parties had earlier raised concerns about his neutrality during the Edo governorship election, though he dismissed such claims.

“Even if you remove me, I will go to another state… My conscience is alive,” he had said at the time.

With his new role, Onuoha becomes INEC’s principal electoral officer in Akwa Ibom, a state known for its highly competitive elections.

Although the commission’s headquarters has yet to formally publish details of the redeployment, such transfers are a regular part of INEC’s internal operations.