INEC BREAKS SILENCE AFTER POLICE INVITATION

INEC breaks silence after police invited Edo REC for questioning, says such invitation could create impression that election officials can be intimidated

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has spoken on the alleged detention of the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Edo State, Johnson Sinikiem, by the police.

INEC, in a statement on Friday, confirmed that Mr Sinikiem was invited by the police in Edo State on Thursday.

"Alternatively, a visit to our State Office by the Commissioner of Police or his assigned representatives 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 Alabibo Sinikiem, is a conscientious public officer and co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security at state level. He was the sitting REC when the last Governorship Election was conducted in Edo State on 19 September, 2020 which was adjudged to be free, fair, and credible," INEC said.