There is currently outrage in Edo state after it was revealed that officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are staying together at the View Point Hotel in Benin City ahead of the governorship election in the state.
The revelation has triggered a wave of speculations, with many questioning the impartiality of INEC in the highly anticipated election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
An investigation revealed that top officials from the APC and INEC have been lodging at the same hotel for the past several days, sparking accusations of collusion between the party and the electoral body.
The situation is made worse by reports that the APC paid for the hotel rooms which INEC officials are benefitting from.
A source within the hotel, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that “numerous rooms have been booked under the APC’s name,” adding that “several individuals identified as INEC officials have been seen entering and leaving those rooms.”
According to the source, both parties have been frequenting the hotel’s lounge and dining areas together, which has fueled speculations of a partnership that could potentially undermine the credibility of the upcoming election.
“People are talking. It’s hard not to notice the interactions. There’s a sense of secrecy, but it’s clear to those observing that there’s a coordinated effort happening behind the scenes,” he said.
This close association between APC and INEC officials has sparked outrage among opposition parties and civil society organizations who fear that this could lead to electoral manipulation.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations have already begun circulating a petition calling for INEC to relocate its staff to neutral grounds and to distance themselves from APC-affiliated establishments.